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Atlantic Heath Training Complex, One Jets Drive, Florham Park, New Jersey, 07932 . . .
Jets safety Jim Leonhard no longer has the medical sleeve on his surgical leg, so that must be a good sign . . .
Speaking of Leonhard, he’s definitely missed as a punt returner so far.
In fact, the Jets punt returning and punting need some work.
The Jets were punted too five times last Sunday, and not one was touched by Gang Green. There were three downed by Jacksonville, and two touchbacks.
Today in practice, Jeremy Kerley seemed to loose a returnable punt in the sun, and let it drop.
Kerley obviously needs to catch more of these punts.
In the first game, he also had a muff.
During the Jacksonville game, after letting one of the punts drop, that he shouldn’t have, I saw Kerley having a long chat on the sideline with assistant special teams coach Ben Kotwica.
Five punts, and not one was touched by the Jets, that is unacceptable.
This is an area of the Jets attack that needs to get better, as does the punting.
T.J. Conley isn’t doing a good job punting from deep in his own territory. He’s not providing enough distance on these punts. This is hurting the Jets field position.
Today in practice, he had a couple more of those kind of short punts out of his own territory. After this part of practice, he had a long talk with Mike Westhoff on the sideline. Conley’s a great kid, but he needs to get this worked.
His kicking work short fieldd is fine, but on long fields, not as good.
Remember, he doesn’t hold for Nick Folk, so this makes his job security a little shaky. Mark Brunell is the holder . . .
The way the Raiders played in the second half against Buffalo, you have to wonder about their conditioning. No off-season programs definitely has hurt the conditioning of some teams during the 2011 season.
The Raiders secondary obviously was horrendous in the second half in Buffalo, and they could be poised for another clunker. Not only are they still learning Chuck Bresnahan’s defense, but they have two corners hurt – starter Chris Johnson, and his backup, DeMarcus Van Dyke. Neither practiced on Wednesday, and it’s unclear if either will play . . .
CB James Posey’s locker is still intact, so expect him back on the practice squad shortly . . .
With the Raiders enormous Front Seven, LaDainian Tomlinson feels you have to spread them out – make the big guys run a lot and tire them out.
Also by spreading them out, with multiple receiver sets, and some hurry-up, you put some of those big guys in coverage situations they aren’t equipped to handle. The Raiders two outside linebackers, Quintin Groves and Kam Wimbley, are big, big guys who you might want to get into space . . .
Not that this matters because it’s about winning on Sunday’s, but Rex Ryan has been very low key in his press conferences this year during the week.
“He’s been downright boring,” said one beat writer.
We asked one high-ranking Jets official if he’s taking a different approach this year, perhaps to not draw as much attention to himself, and the official said “no.” . .