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Cortland – Dan Leberfeld checks in from “The SUNY” with a cornucopia of Whispers from Jets camp. Check it out, for a low price . . .
Dalton Freeman made quite a statement a play or two before he blew out his right knee.
The rookie free agent center pancaked DE Leger Douzable on a Matt Simms touchdown run.
The Jets have to be pretty bummed out over this injury.
Freeman was a major steal as an undrafted free agent. He was having a really good summer, and looked like he was going to make the team as a backup swing lineman, who could backup at both guards and a center.
He had moved ahead of the incumbent in this spot – Caleb Schlaudaraff, who was working with the third team
So this injury, now gives Schlauderaff (pictured above with the beard) the edge in retaining that spot.
It also could help Dennis Landolt, also pictured above. The Penn State-product has quietly had a good camp, and has position versatility. I’m not sure he can play center, but he can play both guard and tackle . . .
A couple of players got yelled at pretty hard by assistant coaches during the goal line drill – OT Oday Aboushi and RB John Griffin.
RB coach Anthony Lynn pulled Griffin out of the drill because he didn’t like the way he was running around the goal line . . .
One of the better plays of the goal line drill was by OLB Ricky Sapp who shot off the edge and stopped running back Chad Spann for a loss.
Sapp is having a really good camp, and just what the doctored ordered for the Jets at one of the 3-4 OLB spots – an athletic 6-4, 250-pounder who can rush the passer, play the run, and is athletic enough to drop into coverage on occasion . . .
Veteran fullback Lex Hilliard had a terrific lead block on David Harris on a red zone run to the one-yard line by Bilal Powell.
Hilliard and Tommy Bohanon are in a dog-fight for the starting fullback job . . .
Backup nose tackle Damon Harrison had one of the better defensive line plays in the goal line play drill, slipping off a block, and stopping Powell for a loss of one.
Harrison is much more athletic and mobile than Kenrick Ellis, but when it comes to Ellis, Rex Ryan seems to be “loyal to the point of defiance.” . . .
You have to give Mike Tannenbaum and Scott Cohen a lot of credit for the signing of Darren Walls last year.
This corner is a terrific cover guy.
On a deep pass down the left side to Vidal Hazelton, he was attached at the hip with the wideout 50 yards down field, and the pass fell incomplete . . .
Jeff Cumberland, where have you gone?
Throughout camp, the Jets have rarely thrown to him, and that was the case again today, even with Kellen Winslow not practicing today (he’s on a pitch count).
I’m going to look into this one, but it’s strange. The guy can be such a weapon in the passing game with his 4.5 speed.
Maybe he’s not comfortable in the offense yet . . .
Jaiquan Jarrett started at the safety spot next to Dawan Landry. Jarrett realizes this might be his last chance (after being released by Philadelphia last summer), and he’s making the most of it.
It seems like Josh Bush is out of the running for this spot.
It’s probably between Jarrett and Antonio Allen . . .
Sleeper receiver – Joe Collins. I really, really like this guy. The second-year WR from Weber State is quick in-and-out of his breaks, has soft hands, and can get deep.
If the Jets are truly into open competition now, this guy has a chance . . .
There was a nice crowd at practice today in Cortland.
And I’m noticing a trend.
When Geno Smith has a successful throw, he gets a lot of cheers.
When Mark Sanchez has a successful throw, it’s like a library.
I’m telling you, the Jets organization has a big problem here – so many fans don’t want Sanchez as the quarterback anymore, and if he wins the job, they could be rough on him at the home opener.
Here is my problem with this whole dynamic – so many fans would rather have Geno start now, even if he’s not ready, instead of Sanchez, who has more experience, and might be the better option, at least at the beginning of the season. How is that a good equation?
August 2, 2013
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