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In this edition of a “Training Camp Whispers,” Dan dives into Friday’s eventful practice. Talk about it . . .
With Sione Pouha out of the line-up, Martin Tevaseu will get a lot of reps at nose tackle vs. Cincinnati. After being one of the pleasant surprises of last summer’s camp, and spending the season on the practice squad, he has become an after-thought this summer, following the drafting of Kenrick Ellis. He was put behind Ellis on the depth chart before the team even took the field.
With Sione out, Martin also got more reps in practice this week, and he had a sack in the afternoon session, exploding up the middle.
So Ellis and Tevaseu will platoon at nose tackle on Sunday.
It really doesn’t matter what Martin does because Ellis is going to be the backup nose tackle no matter what. We all know the roster is basically decided before camp starts in most NFL front offices (with New England being an acception).
But here is the problem with playing Ellis early in the year. He makes plays at times because of his size and athleticism, but he’s a major project who needs a ton of work on his technique and footwork. He marveled after the Houston contest at the speed of the NFL game.
Ellis has enormous potential, but in a perfect world, he’s on the practice squad this year. But we all know, he would get stolen off the practice squad, so it’s out of the question . .
Tight end Josh Baker, who had a terrific game in the Jets lost at Houston, looks like he might have a hamstring problem. He was practicing with a wrap around his upper leg. This guys looks like he can play in the NFL. He has really good hands and impressive athleticism . . .
Speaking of Baker, one of the nicer passes of the the practice, was a deep out from Drew Willy to Baker. Yes, Willy actually got some reps, due to the calf injury suffered by Mark Brunell . . .
The Jets are luvin the quick slant from Mark Sanchez to Santonio Holmes – the Jets ran this successfully a couple of times in Houston, and had a couple more in today’s practice . . .
Sanchez overthrew Holmes, who was open on a middle range pass down the left hash mark. This is one of those plays where Sanchez’s inconsistent accuracy reared it’s ugly head . . .
Greg McElroy had a rough practice, throwing two picks to Dwight Lowery and one to Marquice Cole . . .
Aaron Maybin had a couple of quarterback pressures, beating tackles Dennis Landolt and Pete Clifford . . .
Garrett McIntyre is responding well to the challenge presented by the arrival of Aaron Maybin. Theoretically, they should be battling for the fourth outside linebacker spot, but the Jets might just hand Maybin the job.
McIntyre was living in the backfield in Friday’s practice . . .
LB Brandon Long and G Trevor Canfield are no where to be found. They are still on the roster, but not seen at practice . . .
Shocking – even after his outstanding punt returning performance against Houston (with no practice), Dan DePalma still isn’t practicing with the punt returners. Once again, 95 percent of decisions are made before camp. Open your eyes coaches.
