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In Part I of his look at the Jets “final” cuts and roster moves, Dan takes a look at Nick Bellore, MTV, Trufant and others. Talk about it . . .
For those that make it seem like LB Nick Bellore (picture above) was a longshot to make the roster, spare me.
He was the Jets top priority in the undrafted free agent class, and handed him a #2 ILB spot, ahead of Brashton Satele, who was on the practice squad last year. Bellore was instantly ahead of him before he took one rep (remember, there was no off-season camps for the coaches to analyze). Quite honestly, this was unfair.
Don’t get me wrong, I think Bellore is a terrific prospect, and should help the Jets. But it’s not a shock he made the roster. This was a self-fullfilling prophecy for Mike and Rex. Remember, Rex got on the phone the SECOND the undrafted free agent period started, Rex personally called Bellore to recruit him to the Jets. This was no a rags-to-riches training camp story.
There wasn’t one this year . . .
Just like he allowed the Jets to move on from James Ihedigbo (who made New England), Emanuel Cook made Dwight Lowery expendable. This Jets love “Cookie” and he will be their fourth safety.
And by moving on from Lowery (traded to Jacksonville), the Jets cleared a roster spot for Isaiah Trufant, who they claimed off waivers from Philly this week.
Trufant was a superstar in the UFL – simply outstanding in his two years in the upstart league. He’s an outstanding cover guy, who could eventually challenge Kyle Wilson for the nickel job, if Wilson continues his inconsistent play. Trufant should never have been waived in the first place late last year by the Jets, and now they righted a wrong.
As Rex said about Trufant last year, “He plays like his hair is on fire.” . . .
CB Ellis Lankster deserved to make the roster, but there just wasn’t room with the Jets commitment to Wilson, and the addition of Trufant. Those are the breaks . . .
I will fall off my chair if DE Jarron Gilbert isn’t claimed. In fact, I expect multiple teams to put a claim in.
He actually had a good summer, but the Jets fathered his fate when they picked Mo Wilkerson and Kenrick Ellis. With those two guys added and guaranteed spots, there was no room for Gilbert.
Gilbert is an athletic 6-5, 290 pound 3-4 end and those guys are hard to find.
According to a source, one issue the Jets did have with him was his instincts aren’t great . . .
I have to be honest, while he’s a terrific young man, I don’t see the production from NT Martin Tevaseu. Maybe having a nickname (“MTV”) is good for a player – kinda makes him a cult figure.
I don’t think MTV is big enough for the 3-4 nose tackle spot. I saw him get walled-off a lot in the preseason. I think he’s a better fit for a 4-3.
But kudos to him for making the roster – he’s overcome a lot in his life. I hope my analysis of him is wrong . . .