Jets News 8/8

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http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/08/progress_report_on_jets_rookies_through_2_weeks_of.html#0


Can't copy and paste this one, but it is a very interesting read on the progress of the Jets rookies. Well worth a read

 

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Top Quotes from Week 2 at #JetsCamp
Posted 2 hours ago

Ethan Greenberg
Newyorkjets.com Contributor
12 Sound Bites From Week Two of Training Camp


Winters is Coming
"I have a chip on my shoulder,” said right guard Brian Winters. “I've had a big chip on my shoulder since my rookie year. They finally made the transition for me over to right guard and since then it's been a lot better. I'm a natural right-sided player, so everything's moving right along."
Gannon 2.0?
"As soon as they got Fitz back, I felt much better, like a lot of people," said SiriusXM NFL Analyst Pat Kirwan. "I talked to Ryan this morning, and you know, I parallel his career to Richie Gannon. Gannon was 34 when he found Jon Gruden and Gruden found him [on the Raiders]. So with Chan Gailey again this time around, I think Ryan's very much energized."
Iron Sharpens Iron
“It’s not only on the field – it’s off the field,” said Brandon Marshall of his competitive relationship with cornerback Darrelle Revis. “We’re walking through the halls, we’re in we’re in meetings every single day, we push each other every single day. But people need to understand that we’re friends, really close.”

Dr. Bowles
“I can't sit there and say he'll be OK or not OK,” said head coach Todd Bowles regarding Matt Forté’s health. “Right now he's not in jeopardy of missing any time, but we'll see as the days go by."




Attack Mode
“I’m pretty much focusing on attacking up field,” said a 12-pounds lighter Steve McLendon. “My attack is different because in Pittsburgh I was a two-gap guy and here I’m still a two-gap, but it’s more of an attack two-gap. Attack the guy in front of me and beat him across his face and shed blocks faster.”

New Neighbors
“Clady is really good, really talented,” said James Carpenter regarding new Jets left tackle Ryan Clady. “I love playing next to him. He is so athletic it’s crazy.”

Run, Jace, Run!
“This summer I really did just speed training,” third-year tight end Jace Amaro said. “Running has a lot of technique to it. You can’t just go out there and push a 1,000-pound sled 100 yards every single day and expect to be fast. There are a lot of mechanics that go into it and that’s something I learned this summer and I feel a lot better.”

Mo Itching to Return
"The D-line is working hard every day,” said Muhammad Wilkerson, who is currently on the PUP list. “It can be great as long as we keep pushing each other. I'm liking what I'm seeing. I can't wait to get out there with my brothers."


Unfinished Business
“I had an okay season, but I can be better,” safety Calvin Pryor said. “When I got hurt last season, I felt like I missed out on a lot of opportunities, so I’m just looking to bounce back.”

Rookie vs. Superstar
“I love it. I want to guard the best, and he’s the best,” said rookie cornerback Juston Burris referring to Brandon Marshall. “That’s how you’re going to get better — beating the best. I know whether or not I got beat, or made a good play, that I got better with that rep.

Quicker Powell
“This time I worked on a lot of change of direction stuff, in and out of cuts and I did a lot of hills,” Bilal Powel said regarding his offseason workouts. “I did a bunch of band resistant workouts, I tried to stay away from the weights and do more lean stuff to help build muscle endurance.”

Reps Are Key for the Aussie
“Everyone is relying on me now, which is what it’s going to be like every fourth down from here on out and I like that feeling,” rookie Lachlan Edwards said, who is currently the only punter on the roster. “And it’s good because I’m getting all the reps now. Even with Tanner [Purdum], he’s snapping to the same guy every time. With holding, all the kickers are going to get the same hold, so I think it’s good for everyone that I’m getting more reps.”

 

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Jets running on empty (well, almost) in their banged-up backfield
4:15 PM ET
Rich Cimini
ESPN Staff Writer

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Monday's wake-up call, Day 12 of New York Jets training camp:

What's happening: Sunday was a day of rest, but they're back at, starting at 1:50 p.m. The practice is closed to the general public.

What's hot: The Jets are down three running backs -- Matt Forte (hamstring), Khiry Robinson (leg) and Bernard Pierce (hamstring). The clock is ticking on Pierce, who signed on the first day of camp and promptly pulled a hammy. There's a limit to the team's patience. "As camp goes, there’s a problem if you stay in the training room when you just got here and you haven’t shown yourself," coach Todd Bowles said. "He has (games) on tape. As the running backs get healthy, those who make plays, obviously get to play." Consider that a warning, Bernard. ... Forte already has been ruled out for Thursday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the preseason opener. There are only four healthy backs, only one of whom (Bilal Powell) is a lock to make the roster. Ironically, they will meet up with their former leading rusher, Chris Ivory, on Thursday night. ... The Darrelle Revis-Brandon Marshall matchup never materialized on Saturday night (hmm, wonder why), so we'll be on the lookout. ... The Jets begin the week with four players on the physically-unable-to-perform list -- defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (leg), wide receiver Devin Smith (knee), tackle Breno Giacomini (back) and Robinson. None of them will play on Thursday. You could see some movement on the list on Saturday, the first practice after the opener. ... This is bubble week -- a chance for the bubble players to make their move on the depth chart. The starters probably will play only a quarter against the Jaguars, if that, creating reps for the second- and third stringers. Veterans in this category include wide receiver/punt returner Jeremy Ross, tight end Brandon Bostick and cornerback Darryl Morris.

http://www.espn.com/blog/new-york-j...mpty-well-almost-in-their-banged-up-backfield

 

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Is the Jets' Quincy Enunwa a receiver, or h-back?

Quincy Enunwa
New York Jets' Quincy Enunwa makes a catch during practice at the NFL football teams training camp in Florham Park, N.J., Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Connor Hughes | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com By Connor Hughes | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on August 08, 2016 at 7:00 AM, updated August 08, 2016 at 7:29 AM




FLORHAM PARK — It's the million-dollar question. What exactly is the Jets' Quincy Enunwa? A receiver, or h-back?

The answer? Both. And that's perfectly fine with him.

"I just like to play, man," Enunwa told NJ Advance Media last week.


Jets camp Week 3: 3 storylines to follow
A 6-2, 225-pound chiseled, athletic freak, Enunwa is one of the more interesting players on the Jets' roster. He was selected in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft, spent most of his rookie season on the practice squad, then last year worked himself into a prominent role on offense. It just wasn't as a receiver. Enunwa played h-back.

With tight ends Jeff Cumberland (now with the San Diego Chargers) and Kellen Davis struggling to make an impact, the Jets started subbing in Enunwa. He played right up at the line of scrimmage. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick would then check to different plays based on who was covering Enunwa.

If it was a linebacker, the Jets would throw and let Enunwa burn him with his speed — he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.44 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine. If a safety or cornerback was on him, the Jets would run and let Enunwa block — he bench-pressed 225 pounds 19 times. Enunwa finished the year with 22 receptions for 315 yards.

The expectation heading into 2016 was that Enunwa would reprise his role. In training camp, though, he's been playing much more slot receiver with Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall split wide. Only a handful of times has he lined up near the line.

"I wouldn't say it's a new role, per say," Enunwa said. "This is very similar to what I was doing at the beginning of last year. I played this, then they needed me at h-back, so they moved me around a lot more. Right now, I'm playing mostly receiver, but if they need me to move around, they know I can do both.

"There honestly isn't much of a difference. The positions people saw me in last year, I can still do those positions. I'm just not there right now. In games, we'll see what works against certain teams, then go back-and-forth with it."

There's been another sharp change in Enunwa outside of his new position: He's catching everything thrown his way.



The Jets targeted Enunwa 46 times in 12 games last year. He dropped five of those passes, according to FOX Sports. To put that number in perspective, Atlanta Falcons star wideout Julio Jones was targeted 203 times and dropped only six.

Enunwa said he does work on his hands after practice —he'll catch over 100 balls from the jugs machine — but that's not what's led to the improvement. It's nothing physical at all. Enunwa said it's all mental.

"I let playing in the NFL overwhelm me," Enunwa explained. "I would go out there and rush to make a play. I was making all these hard grabs, the diving ones, but then dropping the easy stuff. Now I'm focused on if the ball's right there, just catch it."

A more experienced, sure-handed, versatile Enunwa? That has the potential to be a fun toy for Fitzpatrick to play with.

And Enunwa can't wait.

"The grind started the day camp started," Enunwa said. "That's what pushes me."

Connor Hughes may be reached at chughes@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connor_J_Hughes. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.

 

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Jets' Sheldon Richardson has 'faith' Rex Ryan can turn Bills around


on August 08, 2016 at 6:30 AM, updated August 08, 2016 at 7:08 AM





FLORHAM PARK — Last season didn't go as expected for Rex Ryan in his first as head coach of the Bills.

Well, take that back. Most people that followed Ryan during his final few seasons with the Jets could have predicted it.

After talking about building a bully, making the playoffs, dominating the Patriots, and everything in between, Ryan's Bills finished 8-8. Now there's talk he won't make it to Year 3 if there aren't dramatic changes in 2016.

But while many are losing confidence in Ryan, one of his former players still believes he can turn the Bills around.


Jets camp Week 3: 3 storylines to follow
"He'll put a team out there that will play hard every quarter," Sheldon Richardson told NJ Advance Media last week. "For sure."

And why does Richardson think that?

"Because I have faith in Rex," he said.

It's hard to pinpoint one particular thing that went wrong for the Bills last year. It was a combination of just about everything. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor, running back LeSean McCoy and receiver Sammy Watkins all missed time with injuries. The players that were on the field had no discipline — The Bills tied the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the most penalties (143) in the NFL. The defense (Ryan's specialty) went from being ranked fourth overall in yards allowed, to 19th. There were reports that prominent, big-name players had turned against Ryan.

It was a mess. But none of that drama stopped Rex's bunch from stealing two against his former team. Both times the Bills and Jets faced each other, Buffalo won, 22-17. The second time, at Ralph Wilson Stadium Week 17, eliminated the Jets from the postseason.

"He played us hard. Can't knock him on that," Richardson said. "We know what happened last year. We know we fell short and on our face. We've got to move forward."

Forward, yes. But that game is still on the minds of most who played in it. And the Jets won't have to wait long to get a little revenge.

Week 2, the Jets and Bills play each other. The game will also be the first of the season for Richardson, who is suspended Week 1 following a violation of the league's personal conduct policy.

The trip back to Orchard Park has to be circled a few times on the calendar inside the Jets locker room, no?

ADVERTISING


"No comment," Richardson said, smiling.

Connor Hughes may be reached at chughes@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connor_J_Hughes. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.

 

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LOL

Kind of sounds like Sheldon is planning on his next landing spot. Maybe he did the math after inserting his opinions in the Mo contract dispute and realized maybe there wouln't be enough money to pay him.

 

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Jets’ ‘Big Cat’ Williams Using Cold Tubs To Turn Up Heat On The Field
Coming Off Impressive
Rookie Season, D-Lineman Also Into Naps, Yoga, Massages To Help Seasonal Health
August 8, 2016 6:45 AM


FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) — Leonard Williams wants to chill out a lot more this season.

The New York Jets defensive lineman mostly avoided ice baths as a rookie, preferring to pass on the ice cube-filled tubs in which many of his teammates would sit and shiver.

“These guys, as soon as they would get out of practice, they were getting recovery,” Williams said. “I was always using the excuse that I’m young, so I’m going to recover and stuff like that.”

Oh, those know-it-all youngsters.

MORE: Jets’ Big Cat’ Williams Hungry For Better Second NFL Season

Williams realized toward the end of a solid rookie year that he, too, could benefit from cold tub therapy. Many athletes use ice baths to help reduce inflammation, prevent muscle stiffness and soreness, and speed recovery after vigorous workouts.

“The season was long and I started feeling it, and I’m starting now,” Williams said. “I’m not going to wait until later when I start to feel it.”

Williams finished with three sacks and 63 total tackles while starting 15 of 16 games after being selected with the No. 6 overall pick out of Southern California in 2015. The man nicknamed “Big Cat” with the puffed-out mane made an impact on Todd Bowles’ defense, teaming with Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and Damon Harrison to form one of the NFL’s most dominant lines.

He wasn’t satisfied with his promising performance and was intent on being better in his second year. That meant pinpointing some of the things he needed to improve on and taking more naps, getting massages, doing more yoga and simply relaxing when he’s not on the field.

“Just being more professional,” Williams said. “Taking care of my body, getting in the ice bath and stuff like that. It’s a long season that I wasn’t used to in college, and I could tell at the end of the season. Just being a more well-rounded player this year.”

He’s also no longer trying to feel his way through the league and getting adjusted to life as a pro.

“When you’re a rookie and you’re a first-rounder, there’s so much pressure on you,” Williams said. “There’s just so much — a new system, new coaches, a new playbook, new teammates. Now that I’ve had a year here and I had a year with the playbook and my teammates and coaches, everything’s more comfortable.”

Another positive for Williams is that he’s playing in the same system in consecutive seasons for the first time since high school. At USC, he had different defensive coordinators in each of his three years: Ed Orgeron as a freshman, Clancy Pendergast as a sophomore and Justin Wilcox as a junior.

“It makes me more comfortable when I know what I’m doing out there,” Williams said. “I don’t have to think and I can just fly around.”

Heading into the draft last year, Williams was considered by many to be the best overall player available. He was a potential No. 1 overall pick, but fell to the Jets at sixth and joined an already stout line.

Williams didn’t need to be an impact player right away because of the talent around him, but his reputation and lofty draft status had many expecting big things.

“In the NFL, there’s always going to be pressure,” Williams said. “There are guys getting drafted, guys leaving and guys coming. You’ve got to play with that pressure on you all the time. I’ve gotten used to that, and as the year went on last year, I kept getting better and better.”

The Jets’ defensive line has a slightly different look at nose tackle this season with former Steelers standout Steve McLendon replacing Harrison, who signed with the Giants as a free agent.

“I love it,” Williams said. “He’s a physical guy and he’s quick off the ball. I can just tell he’s that old-school, traditional type of football player. I’ve worked well with him so far and I’m excited to see where we’re going to go.”

Richardson will miss the opener because of an NFL-issued suspension stemming from his arrest during the 2015 offseason, a violation of the league’s personal-conduct policy. He’ll be available in Week 2.

Wilkerson is back after a contract dispute that potentially could have played out into training camp and beyond. The Jets signed him to a five-year extension and Wilkerson expects to be ready to play in Week 1 of the regular season against Cincinnati as he continues to work his way back from a broken leg suffered in the final game last year.

With him, Williams, Richardson and McLendon anchoring the line, the Jets are planning to make things even tougher on opponents up front.

“We can be very good,” Williams said. “We’re excited to see what type of packages and everything that will be put together when he gets back.”

 

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Jets say Marshall-Revis fight has breathed fire into practices

By Bart Hubbuch August 7, 2016 | 11:31pm




It's OK, Revis: Absolutely no one can cover Brandon Marshall

It takes a day for Revis to say 'everything is fine' with Marshall

When he wasn't fighting, Darrelle Revis showed what's left in tank
While Friday’s practice altercation between Brandon Marshall and Darrelle Revis could pull the Jets apart, the more likely scenario is that it brings them closer together.

At the very least, the startling sight of the team’s two biggest stars exchanging punches and vicious trash talk sent a jolt of positive energy through the Jets’ younger players.

“We see it as good competition,” second-year defensive tackle Leonard Williams said Saturday when asked what impact the Marshall-Revis dustup had on him. “It’s football. When two good players are going against each other, there’s going to be a little tension.

“All they’re doing is pushing each other, and it sparked a fire in the rest of practice. Everybody just started going faster and started playing more physical, so we see it as a good thing.”

Getting that energizing effect in an otherwise dog-days practice in training camp might explain why Jets coach Todd Bowles didn’t exactly hurry to separate the two stars on the field, even after punches had been thrown by both sides.

With a mostly young roster like the one Bowles has been handed, in a lot of ways the incident was a gift to Bowles and his coaches.

“Seeing guys who have been here for so many years and still going so hard in practice is uplifting in practice,” Williams said.

The danger, though, is if the hard feelings between Marshall and Revis linger, especially after Marshall claimed Revis “crossed the line” with one particular on-field comment and then retaliated by taunting the famously prideful Revis by invoking the monster outing that Texans wideout DeAndre Hopkins had against Revis last year.

Marshall and Revis both insisted that the altercation had been forgotten and no hard feelings lingered, but it didn’t appear to be a coincidence that Bowles didn’t have Revis cover Marshall on a single pass play in Saturday night’s scrimmage-like practice.

“It was just football, man,” said Revis, who declined to speak after Friday’s practice and waited more than 24 hours to address the incident. “Every year I’ve been involved in training camp, guys get after it a little bit. It’s just football [to] me. Nothing more.

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Darrelle RevisPhoto: Ray Stubblebine
“Everything’s fine,” Revis said when asked if there were still any hard feelings. “It’s just football, and we’re both trying to do a job here.”

Former NFL wideout Chad Johnson, a highly volatile player like Marshall in his career, predicted the Marshall-Revis incident would end up being a boon to the Jets.

“Just hearing about the Marshall-Revis altercation,” Johnson wrote on Twitter Saturday. “They’re definitely going to have a good season, you’d have to be a player to understand.”

Teammates didn’t appear worried the scuffle would have a lasting negative effect.

“I just think they were out there trying to make things better,” wide receiver Quincy Enunwa said. “It’s just one of those things where we’re in camp, and I think you see a fight all the time. We’re just competing. Those two are really smart, and they know better than to make it into anything personal.”

Williams agreed, insisting that no one in the Jets’ locker room would take sides, either.

“Everybody moved on from it two plays after it happened,” Williams said. “You can’t really dwell on the past. You just have to keep pushing forward.”

http://nypost.com/2016/08/07/jets-say-marshall-revis-fight-has-breathed-fire-into-practices/

 

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Why Jets could cut veteran RB Bernard Pierce
By Bart Hubbuch August 7, 2016 | 12:47am
Modal Trigger Why Jets could cut veteran RB Bernard Pierce
Bernard Pierce Photo: Getty Images
MORE ON:
NEW YORK JETS



When he wasn't fighting, Darrelle Revis showed what's left in tank
Veteran running back Bernard Pierce might not be long for the Jets’ roster if he doesn’t get healthy.

That was the word from coach Todd Bowles Saturday after the former Raven and Jaguar missed another practice because of a hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined most of training camp.

Pierce might be helped by the fact that starting running back Matt Forte also has been out all of camp with a hamstring problem of his own, leaving the Jets thin on proven depth at that spot aside from Bilal Powell.

But Bowles said Saturday that, essentially, Pierce can’t expect to make the club if he’s in the cold tub.

“As camp goes, it’s a problem if you’re in the training room and you just got here and you haven’t shown yourself,” Bowles said of Pierce, a third-round pick out of Temple by the Ravens in 2012 who was signed last month. “But he has film on tape. Obviously, he can play.”

Bowles didn’t have much to offer in terms of a timetable for Forte, who watched Saturday’s practice from the sidelines without pads.

“I have no idea what he’ll be able to do,” Bowles said of Forte, the former Bears standout who injured his hamstring last month while jogging to prepare for camp.

Second-year wide receiver Titus Davis surprised the Jets by retiring Saturday, and they filled his roster spot by claiming rookie wideout Chris King from the Falcons.

“[Davis] decided he didn’t want to play anymore,” Bowles said. “That’s what I was told. I didn’t see him before he left.”

King, a Duquesne product, already has been cut by the Cardinals and Falcons.

Ryan Fitzpatrick hasn’t had to worry about the dreaded “camp arm” so far, and he credits both his offseason contract stalemate and the NFL Players Association for that.

One of the union’s few victories in the 2011 labor fight was getting two-a-day practices banned.

“My arm, surprisingly, has felt great the whole time,” Fitzpatrick said. “There’s no residual soreness. With the way camp is now, with just one practice a day, is a lot easier physically for quarterbacks and their arms.”

Fitzpatrick said all the rest could prove beneficial as the season goes along.

“I tend not to throw in the offseason as it is, so being out for the OTAs and stuff, too, I threw less this offseason than I probably have since before high school,” Fitzpatrick said. “So with my arm feeling as good as it has, it may have been helpful for me.”

Darrelle Revis likes what he sees and feels from his surgically repaired wrist through three full practices.

“The more I jam, the more I get reps on the field, it strengthens it even more,” Revis said.

Second-year quarterback Bryce Petty has struggled, which doesn’t bode well for his chances of sticking with three other passers in camp. But Petty had one of the prettiest plays in camp so far Saturday when he lofted a perfect, 30-yard TD pass to former Texans wideout Chandler Worthy in 11-on-11 drills.

The adage “If defensive backs had good hands, they would be receivers” certainly applied Saturday to safety Dion Bailey, who dropped what would have been an easy interception of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick in 11-on-11s that was right in Bailey’s hands.

The kicking competition between veteran Nick Folk and rookie Ross Martin couldn’t have been more even Saturday. Each connected on all three of their attempts late in practice, with Martin looking especially impressive when the Duke product overcame a bad snap and bad hold to knuckleball through a 47-yarder.

Forte (hamstring), Pierce (hamstring), CB Juston Burris (thigh), WR Kenbrell Thompkins (undisclosed), OLB Trevor Reilly (undisclosed) and TE Wes Saxton (undisclosed) did not practice.


http://nypost.com/2016/08/07/why-jets-could-cut-veteran-rb-bernard-pierce/

 

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Recuperating Darrelle Revis says wrist is OK
Updated August 7, 2016 9:05 PM
By Kimberley A. Martin kimberley.martin@newsday.com




HIGHLIGHTS
No residual soreness after second practice of camp
Says getting more reps is helping him get in shape
As we’ve seen, Darrelle Revis’ mouth works just fine. Now the question is: How’s his wrist?
The Jets have been taking a cautious approach with the cornerback, easing him in slowly on the field. Saturday marked only the second time in camp that he practiced fully, but it appears that Revis is right on schedule.


“No, man. Everything fine,” he said, adding that he hasn’t experienced any residual soreness in his surgically repaired right wrist after Friday’s extra-physical practice. “I think the more I jam, the more I get reps out there on the field, and going against some of our receivers, is definitely helping me to strengthen it more. You start getting that push and tug at the line of scrimmage in bump and run. It’s definitely helping me.”
Revis, 31, certainly worked up a sweat Friday. He got into a heated exchange with teammate Brandon Marshall on the practice field, and the two had to be separated after Marshall took a swing at Revis. A day later, Revis brushed off the incident as “just football” and the result of two highly competitive athletes “trying to do a job here.”
Asked about his recovery, he insisted he’s on the right track.


“I’m just trying to get back in the mix and do the things that can get me in shape,” he said after Saturday’s session. “It’s only second practice. Right now I’ve got to whip myself into shape. I haven’t played ball since the Buffalo game [in Week 17]. So I’m trying to get my reps up as much as I can.”


RB Pierce still hurt

It sounds as if Bernard Pierce could be shown the door if he doesn’t show anything else on the field. Asked about the running back’s lingering hamstring injury, coach Todd Bowles said: “As camp goes, there’s a problem if you stay in the training room when you just got here and you haven’t shown yourself. As the running backs get healthy, those who make plays obviously get to play.”

Pierce, a third-round pick out of Temple (Bowles’ alma mater), played for the Ravens (2012-14) and Jaguars (2015).
Jet streams

Speaking of running backs, Bowles said Saturday that he isn’t sure if Matt Forte will practice Monday or Tuesday. The team will practice in pads those days . . . The starting cornerback competition between Buster Skrine and Marcus Williams is “going pretty good,” Bowles said. But he added: “It’s camp right now. We need to play in some games to see the final results.”

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/recuperating-darrelle-revis-says-wrist-is-ok-1.12144864

 

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Grading current cornerback situation
by Ryan Patti 18 hours ago Follow @KUFanFromNJ

The New York Jets have a great thing going when it comes to their cornerback situation as the unit will once again be a strength this upcoming season.

It’s safe to say that the New York Jets have an underrated cornerback group. It isn’t the team’s best defensive unit, however they’re no joke despite a shaky 2015 finish. In the final three weeks, Gang Green’s secondary nearly melted down against the Kellen Moore-led Dallas Cowboys, let the New England Patriots send the game to overtime in Week 16, and completely collapsed vs. the Buffalo Bills in the season finale. Other than those three outings, they’ve been very reliable under head coach Todd Bowles. Let’s see what’s in store for them heading into the new year.


Cornerback Antonio Cromartie is the one who held back the group the most in 2015, although there’s no hiding the mistakes that Darrelle Revis made. He had a tremendous campaign takeaway-wise racking up five interceptions and four fumble recoveries, but his showings against DeAndre Hopkins and Sammy Watkins (Week 17) were dreadful.


The future Pro Football Hall of Famer was giving both wideouts ten yards of cushion and first downs on just about every play. Revis still has plenty left in the tank and it’s time for him to get back to jamming receivers at the line. Even though he’s 31-years-old, it shouldn’t be an excuse for him to play lazy.

Cornerback Marcus Williams is the man with all the upside and he’s currently in line to start opposite of Revis as the No. 2 guy. The youngster led the Jets in interceptions last season with six while also tallying a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and 1.5 sacks.



What makes him so valuable is his ability to cover in both the slot and on the outside given how fast he is.

When Buster Skrine isn’t playing the nickel, Williams most likely is.

As we saw in the Week 11 game, the North Dakota State product can blitz too.

All he needs to do this upcoming year is put it all together and prove 2015 wasn’t a fluke.

Skrine was a gem of a signing last offseason that many criticized at first. The Jets broke the bank and gave him a four-year deal worth $25M with $13M guaranteed. It seemed like a boatload of money for a nickel corner who really didn’t turn many heads as a member of the Cleveland Browns, but the 27-year-old was impressive in his first season in New York.

He led the cornerbacks in tackles with 56 and he also had an interception in the blowout win over the Tennessee Titans. Despite not recording a sack, you could still make the case that he was one of the best blitzing corners of the NFL in 2015. Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan should be extremely pleased with what Skrine can do for the secondary.

On the other hand, 2013 first-round pick Dee Milliner has been an enormous disappointment for the Jets in his three seasons with the team. The injury bug has hammered him badly, although his production when he’s healthy has been sub-par.

The one bright spot in his career was without a doubt the conclusion of his rookie campaign. He contained the red-hot Josh Gordon in Week 16 and helped spoil the Miami Dolphins’ playoff hopes the following Sunday with two interceptions. New York hopes he can get back to that level in 2016 if he can stay on the field.

Dexter McDougle, Juston Burris, Darryl Morris, Kevin Short and Bryson Keeton round out the rest of the cornerbacks. Burris is a lock to make the roster since the Jets selected him in the fourth round of this year’s draft. Morris looked promising in his time with the Texans, but you have to give McDougle the slight edge in the battle that seems to be between the two. Short and Keeton are on the outside looking in, however don’t be surprised if one of them gets stashed on the practice squad. You can never have too much depth at cornerback.

Overall, this group has the potential to be special if Milliner can finally get over the hump. That’s obviously a lot to ask for since he’s pretty much never been healthy, although his job is on the line and he knows it. Until he steps up, it’s difficult to give this unit a high grade due to a lack of quality depth.

Grade: B

http://thejetpress.com/2016/08/07/new-york-jets-grading-current-cornerback-situation/

 

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Jets' Williams using cold tubs to help turn up heat on field
AP
Aug 7, 2016 at 3:41p ET
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) Leonard Williams wants to chill out a lot more this season.

The New York Jets defensive lineman mostly avoided ice baths as a rookie, preferring to pass on the ice cube-filled tubs in which many of his teammates would sit and shiver.

''These guys, as soon as they would get out of practice, they were getting recovery,'' Williams said. ''I was always using the excuse that I'm young, so I'm going to recover and stuff like that.''



Oh, those know-it-all youngsters.

Williams realized toward the end of a solid rookie year that he, too, could benefit from cold tub therapy. Many athletes use ice baths to help reduce inflammation, prevent muscle stiffness and soreness, and speed recovery after vigorous workouts.

''The season was long and I started feeling it, and I'm starting now,'' Williams said. ''I'm not going to wait until later when I start to feel it.''

Williams finished with three sacks and 63 total tackles while starting 15 of 16 games after being selected with the No. 6 overall pick out of Southern California in 2015. The man nicknamed ''Big Cat'' with the puffed-out mane made an impact on Todd Bowles' defense, teaming with Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and Damon Harrison to form one of the NFL's most dominant lines.

He wasn't satisfied with his promising performance and was intent on being better in his second year. That meant pinpointing some of the things he needed to improve on and taking more naps, getting massages, doing more yoga and simply relaxing when he's not on the field.

''Just being more professional,'' Williams said. ''Taking care of my body, getting in the ice bath and stuff like that. It's a long season that I wasn't used to in college, and I could tell at the end of the season. Just being a more well-rounded player this year.''

He's also no longer trying to feel his way through the league and getting adjusted to life as a pro.

''When you're a rookie and you're a first-rounder, there's so much pressure on you,'' Williams said. ''There's just so much - a new system, new coaches, a new playbook, new teammates. Now that I've had a year here and I had a year with the playbook and my teammates and coaches, everything's more comfortable.''

Another positive for Williams is that he's playing in the same system in consecutive seasons for the first time since high school. At USC, he had different defensive coordinators in each of his three years: Ed Orgeron as a freshman, Clancy Pendergast as a sophomore and Justin Wilcox as a junior.

''It makes me more comfortable when I know what I'm doing out there,'' Williams said. ''I don't have to think and I can just fly around.''

Heading into the draft last year, Williams was considered by many to be the best overall player available. He was a potential No. 1 overall pick, but fell to the Jets at sixth and joined an already stout line.

Williams didn't need to be an impact player right away because of the talent around him, but his reputation and lofty draft status had many expecting big things.

''In the NFL, there's always going to be pressure,'' Williams said. ''There are guys getting drafted, guys leaving and guys coming. You've got to play with that pressure on you all the time. I've gotten used to that, and as the year went on last year, I kept getting better and better.''

The Jets' defensive line has a slightly different look at nose tackle this season with former Steelers standout Steve McLendon replacing Harrison, who signed with the Giants as a free agent.

''I love it,'' Williams said. ''He's a physical guy and he's quick off the ball. I can just tell he's that old-school, traditional type of football player. I've worked well with him so far and I'm excited to see where we're going to go.''

Richardson will miss the opener because of an NFL-issued suspension stemming from his arrest during the 2015 offseason, a violation of the league's personal-conduct policy. He'll be available in Week 2.

Wilkerson is back after a contract dispute that potentially could have played out into training camp and beyond. The Jets signed him to a five-year extension and Wilkerson expects to be ready to play in Week 1 of the regular season against Cincinnati as he continues to work his way back from a broken leg suffered in the final game last year.

With him, Williams, Richardson and McLendon anchoring the line, the Jets are planning to make things even tougher on opponents up front.

''We can be very good,'' Williams said. ''We're excited to see what type of packages and everything that will be put together when he gets back.''

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFL

 

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Jets Roster Analysis: Can Bruce Carter Get His Career Headed in the Right Direction?
0
By John B Aug 8, 2016, 10:00a


Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
As we approach the 2016 season, we are going to profile the players on the roster. Today we look at Bruce Carter.

Name: Bruce Carter

Number: 54

Year With Jets: 1st

Projected Role: Backup inside linebacker

His 2015: Tampa Bay brought Carter in on a four year contract, but things did not pan out. He lost his starting job in training camp to a fourth round rookie. The Buccaneers released the former Dallas linebacker after just a single season, and he caught on with the Jets.

2016 will be a success if: Carter provides the Jets with a quality backup at inside linebacker. A year ago, the Jets helped revitalize Erin Henderson's career by signing him to a cheap deal as a backup. Henderson's career had fallen off due to personal issues. Carter's problems were on the field, but he is another cheap reclamation project with a track record of a quality NFL starter. He probably won't play much, but it would help everybody if he is effective when he does play.

Odds of making the roster: Probable (75%-99%)

http://www.ganggreennation.com/2016...can-bruce-carter-get-his-career-headed-in-the

 

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Jets K Nick Folk faces dilemma: Self preservation or Mr. Nice Guy
11:15 AM ET
Rich Cimini
ESPN Staff Writer

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- As much as he'd like to mentor Ross Martin, the promising rookie kicker from Duke, Nick Folk believes there has to be a limit to his generosity. After all, Martin is trying to take his job.

It's one of those awkward training-camp dynamics, and it's playing out this summer with the New York Jets. Folk wants to be The Nice Guy, but he also wants to stay employed. He's fighting for his livelihood. He and the undrafted free agent are locked in a kicking competition, and we all know the NFL is a cut-throat business.

Folk said he will try to help Martin in certain instances, but he admittedly will hold back.

"There are no backups, so it's tough," said Folk, the Jets' kicker since 2010. "You can't give away all your secrets. You just have to focus on what you have to focus on. I hate to say it, but that's how I've done it my whole career. You focus on yourself.

"It's a fine line to walk," he continued. "Talking with other veteran kickers, everyone is in the same boat. Everyone wants to keep their job for a long time. It's not like a DB where he can mentor a young guy and that guy can be the third or fourth corner. You can't do that. It's hard, it's hard."

Folk described Martin as friendly and quiet, with a strong leg. Because of the nature of the position, they spend a lot of time together during practice, off in their own kicking world. It's cordial, but competitive.

This isn't Folk's first competition.

Since 2010, the Jets have used at least two kickers in four of the six preseasons -- and Folk defeated them all even though his competitors were a combined 16-for-17 in field goals. A look back, including their field-goal stats:

2014: Folk (3-for-3) held off Andrew Furney (2-for-2), an undrafted rookie.

2013: Folk (3-for-4) survived a challenge from two veterans, Billy Cundiff (3-for-3) and Dan Carpenter (1-for-1).

2012: Folk (5-for-5) outlasted Josh Brown (3-for-4) in a terrific competition.

2011: Folk (4-for-6) beat out Nick Novak (2-for-2), who landed with the San Diego Chargers and has been in the league ever since.

Here he goes again, trying to show the Jets he still belongs at the age of 31. Folk likes the way he's kicking the ball. He goal is to "stack some good days on top of each other and build some good momentum." Martin is doing the same. The first game is Thursday night. It's competition on.

 

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How Jets GM Mike Maccagnan has prepared for the 2017 offseason

A JAN. 14, 2016 FILE PHOTO
Mike Maccagnan’s construction of the Jets’ roster favors the team’s cap situation in 2017. (JULIO CORTEZ/AP)
BY
SETH WALDER
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Sunday, August 7, 2016, 5:31 PM
Mike Maccagnan generally keeps his cards pretty close to his vest, but the Jets GM recently shed some light on the team's longer term cap management strategy and how it could impact Gang Green a year from now. It seems that when Maccagnan went on a major spending spree in his first offseason with the Jets, he kept the 2017 offseason in the back of his mind.

"One of the things we did when we came in a year ago was try to bring in talent to help us be a more competitive team, we realized there was a two-year window where we kind of were structuring a lot of the contracts and with that third year (flexible)," Maccagnan said in a sit down with reporters earlier in training camp.

What Maccagnan was noting is that the team has the ability to cut bait on a number of players after the 2016 season based on the structure of their contracts. Specifically: none of David Harris, Marcus Gilchrist, Brandon Marshall and Buster Skrine -- all of whom were acquired and/or signed to new deals last offseason -- have their salaries guaranteed next season, per overthecap.com. That's not to say that the team will want to cut them next offseason, but it means they have the flexibility to take a minimal cap hit should they desire to get rid of any of those veterans. (Note: Skrine's cap hit would be $2.5 million -- not nothing.) That's not to say the Jets will cut those players, it's just that they could if any of them don't perform well in 2016.

In addition: Breno Giacomini, Ryan Clady, Nick Mangold, Erin Henderson, Jarvis Jenkins and Nick Folk could all be cut next year with a minimal cap hit or without one entirely, per overthecap.com. Eric Decker would have a $3 million cap hit to be cut next year and Darrelle Revis would require an $8 million hit to be cut then.

Darrelle Revis, Brandon Marshall keep distance at Jets practice
Again, the Jets might want to keep some or all of these players, but Maccagnan apparently wanted the opportunity to evaluate his team -- and change course if need be -- after the first two years of his reign.

"It's not as if we were opposed to opening up big player contracts but the less you open up the more flexibility you have going forward and if you decide, again there's always a balance between the short and long term, and the GM’s role," Maccagnan said.

"We're trying to be competitive, were trying to go out there and ideally become a playoff caliber team but we also sort of realize as we go forward we sort of analyze what we have and how we're going to manage our roster and manage our cap going forward," the GM added.

THE GOOD WITH THE BAD

Nine practices into training camp, let's take a look at some of the rookies that have stood out -- in a positive or negative way -- as the team heads into the preseason.

Muhammad Wilkerson can’t wait to return to field for Jets
WR Jalin Marshall

This undrafted free agent has been a standout in practices so far, catching a lot of passes. If he can keep it up in the games, the Ohio State product should have a pretty decent chance to make the team as the fifth receiver behind Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, Quincy Enunwa and Kenbrell Thompkins with Devin Smith presumably starting the year on the PUP list. His main competition is probably Jeremy Ross and seventh-round pick Charone Peake.


QB Christian Hackenberg

So far, Hackenberg's flaws are showing. He's flashed his strong arm on deep throws at times, but his accuracy continues to be a major concern. On Saturday, for example, he dirted back-to-back medium-distance throws several yards short of his receiver...against air. He has a long way to go.

OLB Jordan Jenkins

Jenkins has continued to get plenty of first-team reps, so he's a favorite to start at one of the team's two outside linebacker positions. That's impressive for a rookie. He'll still need to show his abilities against the run in preseason games.

CB Juston Burris

Burris has a thigh bruise and missed Thursday's practice, but so far he's had a nice showing in training camp. Somewhat of an afterthought in the Jets' draft as a fourth-rounder, Burris has made a number of plays, including the interception of a Ryan Fitzpatrick pass that earned him the right to shave the QB's head.

K Ross Martin

The rookie kicker out of Duke has certainly demonstrated an ability to hit long-range field goals. Now, he just has to prove he's as accurate as Folk. That's a tough task. Martin is cheaper than Folk, and if the Jets cut the veteran and kept the rookie they would save roughly $1.7 million against the cap. Martin will probably have to prove he's at least as good Folk in order to get the team to want to save the cash, so he still has an uphill climb ahead of him.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/f...urce=twitter.com&utm_campaign=swalder+twitter