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A heaping helping of Dan’s Website Whispers. Dan’s WW’s are totally different than what appears in a our monthly magazine. Enjoy.
Dwight Lowery (concussion) practiced today on a limited, but he wore a red jersey, which means he wasn’t allowed to be touched by his teammates. This is a precautionary measure used for players coming off concussions. It also makes you think he is still a week away from playing . . .
In the first Jets-Patriots matchup, the Jets victimized cornerback Darius Butler. He’s no longer starting. He was replaced by Kyle Arrington (Hofstra) not long after the Jets game . . .
Before we get ahead ourselves praising the Patriots, let’s not forget they got blown out by the Cleveland Browns a little less than a month ago – 34-14.
How did the Browns do it?
“The Browns bullied the Patriots, using Peyton Hillis to run the ball down their throats and flustering quarterback Tom Brady with a variety of fronts and coverages,” according to the Associated Press.
Hillis ran for 184 yards and two touchdowns.
Hillis is a big, bruising back in the 240-250 range. The Patriots Front Seven is very young (three rookies starting), and they have a key injury (DE Mike Wright), so there is no excuse for the Jets to struggle running the football.
Since the Pats struggled against a big back in Hillis, perhaps a heavy dose of 230-pound Shonn Greene might be in order . . .
You will be seeing a different New England placekicker for the first time in a while – former Cincinnati Bengal Shayne Graham. Steve Gronkowski was recently put on IR with a leg injury . . .
The Jets clearly don’t want to pay the $150,000 rights fee to the UFL for cornerback Gerard Lawson. Granted that isn’t cheap, but if they lose this week in New England because of their nickel and dime backs, they might regret not coming up with the cash to bring Lawson into the fold . . .
This is going to be a huge game for Drew Coleman. The Patriots are going to go after him early and often . . .
There was a great question by a New England writer to Rex Ryan today on a conference call. Ryan was asked whether the Jets wanted Devin McCourty (Rutgers) or Kyle Wilson in the first round. McCourty was picked one slot ahead of the Jets, and many have speculated he was the player the Jets really wanted. He’s having a terrific rookie year, starting at corner in New England, performing like a veteran.
“We really liked both of them,” Ryan said. “But, I think we would have taken Kyle because we were looking more for of a man cover skill-type thing, but I can tell you this: we like both of them. They were both like – several coaches wanted McCourty and several wanted Kyle Wilson. It was that close; they were touching each other. I think it was Kyle, but I’m not 100 percent sure of that.”
