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Dan checks in with more Website Whispers on the Jets. Let’s get going with more of “The Good Stuff.” . . .
The Jets’ second drive of their game against the 49ers ended with a Mark Sanchez incompletion over the middle to Santonio Holmes.
They didn’t seem to be on the same page. This happens way too often, whether it was last year in Schotty’s system, or this year in Tony’s. Over the last couple of years, Sanchez and his #1 receiver weren’t on the same page on many occasions.
On this play, it was a crossing route, and Holmes seemed to pull up, and not keep running over the middle. Perhaps, Patrick Willis, in his vicinity, had something to do with it.
From a human standpoint, I hope Holmes isn’t seriously hurt, and is back on the field quickly. No news yet.
His absence is a loss,of course it is, but considering how often these two leaves plays on the field, it’s not as devastating as some might portray it.
Jeremy Kerley has been terrific this year, and if he starts, I don’t see a huge drop off. Kerley has had two long receptions this season, and for him to hold on to that pass over the middle last week, after getting crushed by Dante Whitner, showed his mettle. Kerley also had a tremendous diving catch on a pass from Sanchez last week that was called back by a holding call on Nick Mangold.
Chaz Schilens was one of the few Jets bright spots last week with a pair of nice grabs.
Once Dustin Keller gets back, he will be essentially be the Jets #1 or #2 receiver, kind of like Antonio Gates in San Diego.
Stephen Hill will be back soon.
I think Jordan White is very underrated. He was excellent all summer – runs great routes and catches almost everything – a poor man’s Chrebet.
If Holmes is out for a while, I think the Jets can survive, especially with their schedule over the second half of the season – not a killer . . .
I really like the Aaron Berry signing. No question he has some issues off the field, but honestly, the core value days are over.
And as Bill Parcells once said, “The sport isn’t for the well-adjusted.”
Cornerbacks are so hard to find. Look how bad most college corners are. Just pop in a tape of the Baylor-West Virginia game from last weekend. The Mountaineers won 70-63.
Berry can play. He’s only 180 pounds, but he’s feisty – he will hit you.
Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free-Press told me last weekend, Berry likely would have started for the Lions this year if he didn’t get in trouble, twice, this past off-season.
As for his off-the-field issues, the Jets just have to pay him week-to-week – nothing is guaranteed. So if he messes up, they can whack him.
The biggest concern I’d have about him off-the-field is the location of Florham Park.
No, Florham Park isn’t the problem. It’s Harrisburg, his hometown – just 150 miles from the Jets complex. Harrisburg has seen better days, and trouble seems to find Aaron when he goes home. He might have been better off signing far away, Arizona or Oakland. Jets need to beg him not to go home too much, if at all.
Aaron knows this is his last chance. If he stays on the straight-and-narrow, he can really help the Jets. He plays with a chip on his shoulder. Jets need more guys like that.
October 2, 2012
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