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We continue our look at some of the players whose time as Jets players came to an end. Here is Part II of the series . . .
Ross Martin (K/5-9/183/Duke/Solon, OH)
With Nick Folk entrenched as the Jets’ kicker, Martin was a camp leg, but a very good one, and he enhanced his resume tremendously kicking a 55-yard field goal against the Football Giants. I also saw him kick a 60-yard field goal in a Senior Bowl practice. He’s a very, very confident kid. I think he will kick in the league.
Helva Matungulu (DL/6-5/290/Western Carolina/Kenya, Africa)
I don’t want this to come out the wrong way because this guy is extremely bright (speaks three languages – English, French and Swahili), but when I asked him in minicamp how his transition to 3-4 defensive end was going, and he didn’t seem to know what I was talking about, I knew he was a practice squad candidate.
He came to the United States to study, and the coaches at Western Carolina saw this 6-5, 250-pound guy and asked him to come out for football.
He’s only been playing football four years, but man does he look the part. At 6-5, 290 (and he carries it very well) with long arms, he has 3-4 end written all over him.
I’d put him on the practice squad for a year.
Lache Seastrunk (RB/5-10/210/Baylor/Temple, TX)
This one I didn’t get. I like Seastrunk as a prospect. He’s an explosive runner with a great burst, but the Jets never gave him a carry in a preseason game.
I understand he was brought in early in camp due to injuries, but give the guy a chance.
I think he can play in the league.
Jason Vander Laan (TE/6-4/244/Ferris State/Frankfort, IL)
The poster child for what is wrong with the NFL’s player development landscape. He was a college quarterback at Ferris State. The Jets signed him to be a tight end. In camp, he hardly got an reps. Same in the preseason games.
Let me ask y’all a question.
How is he going to learn how to be a tight end getting fourth team reps (which means basically none). It defies logic.
Maybe he comes back to the practice squad, but he got to show so little this summer, maybe not.
Imagine if a guy like this could play in a developmental league, in games, and actually learn to be a tight end the right way.
The NFL is the best league, but is the worst at player development, lagging way behind MLB, the NHL and the NBA.
Maybe he should have just gone to Canada or the Arena League and stayed at QB.
Kyle Williams (WR/5-10/186/Arizona State/San Jose, CA)
Not a bad player, but with the Jets thrilled with youngsters Jalin Marshall, Robby Anderson and Charone Peake, it was almost impossible for him to hang around.
I think they like him, and if they suffer some injuries, he will be on the short list, not just as a receiver, but as as returner.
Terry Williams (RB/5-10/200/Kutztown/West Orange, NJ)
This one I can’t figure out. Did they like him as a player, or where they giving a local kid from West Orange a chance to get into a camp.
I saw so little of him, it’s hard to really evaluate him.
August 30, 2016
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