Attention, Dee Milliner: Jets' former No. 1 picks aren't safe

[gmf1369]

Rich Cimini, ESPN: Now that Quinton Coples is gone, we're left to wonder: Which former high draft pick moves to the hot seat?

You're the next man up, Dee Milliner.

In case you missed it, Milliner was inactive Sunday in the New York Jets' loss to the Houston Texans. The former first-round pick was, in the words of Todd Bowles, a "healthy scratch." The coach explained.

"He was sick all last week, so he missed a lot of practice time and when he came back Friday, everything was already etched in stone," Bowles said.

It's true, Milliner missed the Wednesday and Thursday practices with an illness, but he was listed as probable for the game. The Jets dressed six cornerbacks, and it speaks volumes that Milliner -- the ninth pick in the 2013 draft -- couldn't crack the top six, even with the missed practice time.

Coaches will re-etch the stone, if you will, to accommodate a good player. Look at Sheldon Richardson. When his four-game suspension was complete, he was thrown into a full-time role after only one week of practice. Milliner? He couldn't beat out Dexter McDougle on the game-day 46.

The injury-plagued Milliner isn't in danger of cutting cut, at least not this season. His 2016 salary, the final year of his rookie contract, is fully guaranteed -- $2.1 million. That includes a $1.46 million roster bonus. Teams are hesitant to eat guaranteed money, so that works in his favor.

This season has been a washout for Milliner, who underwent wrist surgery in the preseason and spent the first eight games on short-term injury reserve. If the front office views him as some sort of ace in the hole, a potential 2016 replacement for Antonio Cromartie (a likely cap casualty), it'll be a mistake. I spoke to two talent evaluators about Milliner, one of whom studied him closely at Alabama. Neither one called him as an elite talent. They both said he doesn't possess the quick-twitch athleticism to thrive in a man-to-man scheme.

I suspect Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan have the same concerns about Milliner. We found out Monday they're not afraid to dump a highly drafted player, especially one drafted by the previous regime.

 

[gastineau]

Well gmf, you know what I think of Milliner. Milliner Drafted in first round & in top 10 & yet to play 1 full season. Best games were end of seasons against Miami. He cant play at line on bump & run & gives 10yds to WR's. Sad that he is just to frail being injured, because we will never know how good Milliner could be. No doubt he has talent, just not close to NFL level now due to not playing. Here is Milliners big chance this week & its the team he has played great before as long as he doesnt trip ,fall down & hurt himself & out for season. Milliner -Pryor needs to show something & Pryor is trying hard .

 

[gmf1369]

Well gmf, you know what I think of Milliner. Milliner Drafted in first round & in top 10 & yet to play 1 full season. Best games were end of seasons against Miami. He cant play at line on bump & run & gives 10yds to WR's. Sad that he is just to frail being injured, because we will never know how good Milliner could be. No doubt he has talent, just not close to NFL level now due to not playing. Here is Milliners big chance this week & its the team he has played great before as long as he doesnt trip ,fall down & hurt himself & out for season. Milliner -Pryor needs to show something & Pryor is trying hard .

He has the skill set we seen that when healthy but the durability is an issue... At the end of the day Milliner could be a perfect coverage safety who isn't shy on contact, has ball skills and like you said is an off man - man cover corner which as a free safety would be a better fit if he could stay healthy.

But at the same time with the let down or slow down of Cromartie, and who knows about Revis the Jets need all hands on deck... McDougle and Marcus Williams with Buster Skrine could be in the works the next few weeks... So seeing if Milliner gets reps he will fill in a need and have a chance to prove himself moving forward...

On Calvin Pryor he has had a full 180 since his rookie year last year... Reason is having an ex-safety as a Head Coach helps...

 

[NYJDraftKing]

What's amazing is that with both, Revis and Williams possibly out for the GIANTS game ... he is not even mentioned as a possible replacement.

 

[flgreen]

What's amazing is that with both, Revis and Williams possibly out for the GIANTS game ... he is not even mentioned as a possible replacement.

If that happens I would have to think Milliner will get some reps. Well maybe not, he didn't get any reps last week under the same scenario. Mentioned this in another thread, Milliner appears to be, while 100% healthy, the 7th CB on the team.

WOW the 9th pick in the draft.

He can't be cut this year, as Cimini has alluded to, he creates 7.5 million in dead money, and a 4 million cap hit. unless there is a major turn around, starting this week, (could happen) he will be just as much of a bust as Gholston.

C'mon Dee, show every one they are wrong . This would be a good week to start. Team is going to hurting for CB's

 

[lounap23]

If that happens I would have to think Milliner will get some reps. Well maybe not, he didn't get any reps last week under the same scenario. Mentioned this in another thread, Milliner appears to be, while 100% healthy, the 7th CB on the team.

WOW the 9th pick in the draft.

He can't be cut this year, as Cimini has alluded to, he creates 7.5 million in dead money, and a 4 million cap hit. unless there is a major turn around, starting this week, (could happen) he will be just as much of a bust as Gholston.

C'mon Dee, show every one they are wrong . This would be a good week to start. Team is going to hurting for CB's

He could be a bust but he is on no way the same type of bust as Gholston... He was Defensive player of the month the last 4 games of his rookie season... He has shown he can play in this league.. It's his injuries that are killing him.. Gholston never did anything on the field... Nothing... He is by far and away the biggest bust in Jets history and we have had some busts.

 

[jetgreen13]

If that happens I would have to think Milliner will get some reps. Well maybe not, he didn't get any reps last week under the same scenario. Mentioned this in another thread, Milliner appears to be, while 100% healthy, the 7th CB on the team.

WOW the 9th pick in the draft.

He can't be cut this year, as Cimini has alluded to, he creates 7.5 million in dead money, and a 4 million cap hit. unless there is a major turn around, starting this week, (could happen) he will be just as much of a bust as Gholston.

C'mon Dee, show every one they are wrong . This would be a good week to start. Team is going to hurting for CB's

let's be fair FL, milliner is still recovering from a nasty case of the sniffles, so.........

 

[flgreen]

He could be a bust but he is on no way the same type of bust as Gholston... He was Defensive player of the month the last 4 games of his rookie season... He has shown he can play in this league.. It's his injuries that are killing him.. Gholston never did anything on the field... Nothing... He is by far and away the biggest bust in Jets history and we have had some busts.

Not quite. He was defensive rookie of the month, and defensive player of the week for a 2 interception game week 17 against the Fish in which Tannehill had even a worst game then he had last week. Ed Reed had an interception.

Milliner was also benched 3 times during the season for very poor play. Benched by Rex no less, who never benches anyone. Well, except geno a time or two. But that's a different discussion.

if Milliner doesn't turn it around in the next few weeks, yes, he will be right in the "Gholston" zone of top 10 draft picks.

 

[BlindsideD'Brick]

He could be a bust but he is on no way the same type of bust as Gholston... He was Defensive player of the month the last 4 games of his rookie season... He has shown he can play in this league.. It's his injuries that are killing him.. Gholston never did anything on the field... Nothing... He is by far and away the biggest bust in Jets history and we have had some busts.

Agree. Milliner's problem is injuries. Bowles isn't really saying anything about him, so it's a mystery why he's not in there. Is he 100% yet? Does Bowles not believe in him? Regardless, Milliner needs to get in games to really find out the answers. I find it extremely hard to believe that Walls and McDougle are better than Milliner.

 

[NYJDraftKing]

let's be fair FL, milliner is still recovering from a nasty case of the sniffles, so.........

Next it will be an ABS issue ..... his cup is too tight .....thus giving him "achy balls syndrome".

 

[jetgreen13]

Next it will be an ABS issue ..... his cup is too tight .....thus giving him "achy balls syndrome".

LOLz ABS!!

 

[flgreen]

Agree. Milliner's problem is injuries. Bowles isn't really saying anything about him, so it's a mystery why he's not in there. Is he 100% yet? Does Bowles not believe in him? Regardless, Milliner needs to get in games to really find out the answers. I find it extremely hard to believe that Walls and McDougle are better than Milliner.

Actually Bowles did say a bit about him.

1) He was a healthy scratch.

2)McDougle got snaps before him because he's better inside then Milliner is. Ouch.

Kind of coach speak. He left out the part that Williams plays out side and went down 8 snaps in, and Milliner still received 0 reps.

I really don't think it's much of a mystery why he's not in there. Yes, Bowles thinks Walls and McDougle are better then a healthy Milliner. Bowles said the first week when he passed on activating Milliner that Milliner has actually been healthy since week 4. Health isn't the issue.

We're left with this. Either Bowles is a very bad HC, and Milliner is a player, or Milliner is on his way off the team in the off-season when the cap permits.

With that said, if Revis doesn't play this week, Milliner will have to get some snaps. As I've said before , when the Jets drafted Milliner I though it was a good pick, he may have one game here to prove he can play. If he doesn't get any reps, or gets burnt again, IMO the writing is on the wall.

Not only is he always hurt, but with the exception of the Browns game, and Fish game, back in 2013, he's been horrible when he is on the field

 

[flgreen]

Next it will be an ABS issue ..... his cup is too tight .....thus giving him "achy balls syndrome".

LOL

ABS. I might quote you on that.

 

[BlindsideD'Brick]

Actually Bowles did say a bit about him.

1) He was a healthy scratch.

2)McDougle got snaps before him because he's better inside then Milliner is. Ouch.

Kind of coach speak. He left out the part that Williams plays out side and went down 8 snaps in, and Milliner still received 0 reps.

I really don't think it's much of a mystery why he's not in there. Yes, Bowles thinks Walls and McDougle are better then a healthy Milliner. Bowles said the first week when he passed on activating Milliner that Milliner has actually been healthy since week 4. Health isn't the issue.

We're left with this. Either Bowles is a very bad HC, and Milliner is a player, or Milliner is on his way off the team in the off-season when the cap permits.

With that said, if Revis doesn't play this week, Milliner will have to get some snaps. As I've said before , when the Jets drafted Milliner I though it was a good pick, he may have one game here to prove he can play. If he doesn't get any reps, or gets burnt again, IMO the writing is on the wall.

Not only is he always hurt, but with the exception of the Browns game, and Fish game, back in 2013, he's been horrible when he is on the field

You're suggesting that Milliner won Defensive Player of the Month, playing two great games and two "horrible" games?

There are four games in a month, aren't there? That would be quite an accomplishment winning that award while sucking half the month.

Maybe it's just me, but I always get a chuckle out of fans and media presuming to know the facts behind coaching decisions. I pay close attention to pressers and other sources of info, and not once have I heard Bowles suggest Walls or McDougle are better than Milliner. Now, that COULD be the case, but there's an awful lot of reading between the lines around here posing as factual. There are other possibilities, too.

 

[flgreen]

You're suggesting that Milliner won Defensive Player of the Month, playing two great games and two "horrible" games?

There are four games in a month, aren't there? That would be quite an accomplishment winning that award while sucking half the month.

Maybe it's just me, but I always get a chuckle out of fans and media presuming to know the facts behind coaching decisions. I pay close attention to pressers and other sources of info, and not once have I heard Bowles suggest Walls or McDougle are better than Milliner. Now, that COULD be the case, but there's an awful lot of reading between the lines around here posing as factual. There are other possibilities, too.

No, I'm saying Milliner DID NOT win defensive player of the month. He won Defensive ROOKIE,of the month world of difference.



And yes, it's just you. Bowles did say ' Chris Lopresti ‏@CLoprestiWFAN 24m24 minutes ago
Bowles says McDougle played over Milliner in the Dime package yesterday because he's more of an inside guy. Dee an outside guy. #NYJ"

Any way you look at it, he is saying McDougle is better inside then Milliner.

I guess you can chuckle all you want. (which is kind of strange in it's self) But in an absolute "must win" game, or your season is over, it's not a major assumption to make that Walls gets 50 snaps, over, as Bowles has said, a healthy Milliner's 0 snaps. That Bowles thinks that Walls is a better player.

If you would please share with us your "factual" "other possibilities" as to why Bowles would give an inferior player 50 snaps over a good player with the season on the line?

Thanks

 

[jetgreen13]

You're suggesting that Milliner won Defensive Player of the Month, playing two great games and two "horrible" games?

There are four games in a month, aren't there? That would be quite an accomplishment winning that award while sucking half the month.

Maybe it's just me, but I always get a chuckle out of fans and media presuming to know the facts behind coaching decisions. I pay close attention to pressers and other sources of info, and not once have I heard Bowles suggest Walls or McDougle are better than Milliner. Now, that COULD be the case, but there's an awful lot of reading between the lines around here posing as factual. There are other possibilities, too.

the 9th pick in the 2013 draft has been nothing short of a buzz kill..

we drafted damaged goods & now we're in all hands on deck mode & coach bowles makes him sound like an afterthought..

that ain't reading to deep between the lines IMO, brick..

what is, is..

 

[The Wicker Man]

I'll preface this by saying, I wanted to draft Dee, it was a huge need. Now, over 2 1/2 years into his 4 year rookie deal and he's given us 4 good games(against 4 teams that were playing for nada) and now he's healthy and can't get onto the field? When do we label this guy a bust?

Sorry Cy!(He was a big believer in DM)

 

[flgreen]

I'll preface this by saying, I wanted to draft Dee, it was a huge need. Now, over 2 1/2 years into his 4 year rookie deal and he's given us 4 good games(against 4 teams that were playing for nada) and now he's healthy and can't get onto the field? When do we label this guy a bust?

Sorry Cy!(He was a big believer in DM)

Actually I was a big believer in Dee. I really thought/hoped this would be his break out year, but as you say, "now he's healthy and can't get onto the field? When do we label this guy a bust?"

If he doesn't get on the field this week , and play well, it's time. Period

 

[lounap23]

Skrines is a much better inside guy than Revis..... Nothing wrong with saying that... McDougle very well might be the better player inside than Milliner, coach would know better. That doesn't mean a whole lot... Bowles play to a players strength. Walls got more reps in practice than Milliner hence why he played and McDougle played and Milliner didn't. The question is why? We all have different takes on it but only Bowles knows the facts....

And my bad... Milliner was Defensive rookie of the month in Dec 13 and in week 17 that year he was Defensive Player of the Week.

 

[JohnnyBaseball1]

I think we always try to make these arguments about why a guy could be good, if this happens, or if that happens ... But the players who are actually good don't need that. You can just see that they're good because they play well. In other words, we are constantly trying to convince ourselves that the players we have are better than they are.