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A heaping helping . . .
Todd Bowles said today he he has no plans at this time to get nickel back Parry Nickerson some playing time down the stretch.
The Jets current nickel back is Buster Skrine, who is considered wildly inconsistent.
For instance, in the Jets’ last game, a win over Buffalo, Skrine had a long pass interference penalty and was also flagged for roughing the quarterback.
So some might wonder, why not give Nickerson some playing time?
Look, it’s understandable that why you don’t do that at certain spot, like you are going to give a young cornerback reps for Trumaine Johnson, or a young defensive lineman at Leonard William’s position.
But Skrine is so up-and-down, and he’s a free agent after this year.
Why would you rule out Nickerson getting some reps for Skrine?
“Not at this time,” Bowles said. “If somebody gets hurt, yeah, but I’m not going to play guys just to play them. We got guys that are playing hard and we’re trying to win ball games. His time will come.”
I’m not saying Skrine doesn’t do some good things. He’a very good tackler and blitzer, but his coverage and penalty issues continue to rear their head, so why not get Nickerson in there a little down the stretch?
Bowles seems to have a blind spot for Skrine.
It’s very odd because the player has hurt this coach quite a bit over the last four years with his coverage and penalty issues . . .
Here is similar story line.
Bowles was asked today if CB Derrick Jones would get more action down the stretch, and gave a similar answer to the one about Nickerson.
The player in front of Jones, Rashard Robinson, hasn’t played well in limited action, giving up long gains against Tennessee and Buffalo. His instincts seem to be a little shaky. So why not give Jones a chance?
When it comes to making lineup changes, Bowles is often unrelenting.
It’s not how I would roll . . .
After the first Buffalo game, New York Post writer Steve Serby called for Todd Bowles to be fired, and was supported by a banner back page saying the same thing.
Today he was in the front row of Bowles press conference (pictured above).
Make of it what you’d like.
Some might wonder why even go to his press conferences anymore if you fired him in print.
Others might say, at least he doesn’t hide after blasting a guy . . .
Quincy Enunwa seems like a long shot to play on Saturday.
He wasn’t on the practice field today, and like I mentioned on Sunday, I saw him in Buffalo walking off the field with a bad limp.
And Bowles told the media today, it’s not the same ankle he hurt earlier this season, so now he has injuries to both ankles.
If Enunwa can’t go, I’m hearing Rishard Matthews could have a much bigger role. Signed on October 23, Matthews hasn’t played much, but this guy is a terrific receiver – good route runner and solid hands. The Titans gave him a contract extension last year due to his play, but then when his playing time was limited earlier this year, he asked to be released . . .
A number of negative questions today in the press conference about Leonard Williams. I don’t get it. I thought he played well in Buffalo.
Whether the haters in the media, who are driven by sack stats, like it or not, he’s a core player here, and he’s not going anywhere.
Is he a superstar? No. But he’s very good.
December 12, 2018
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