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Two weeks of training camp in the book. Here are some of my observations:
*The Jets’ addition of Gregg Williams as defensive coordinator is huge. Not only is he a defensive genius, but a taskmaster who is yelling up a storm on the practice field, and pushing the defensive players hard. Expect the Jets to play smarter, harder and tougher on the defensive side of the ball than the last few years.
*The Jets plan on starting Trumaine Johnson and Daryl Roberts at cornerback (both have had decent camps), but they need somebody else to emerge as a difference-maker from that cornerback room, and it cold be Kyron Brown. The rookie free agent from Akron has looked very good in camp, as he did in the spring. He has very good instincts and is constantly getting his hands on the football.
*Brian Poole is a major upgrade for the Jets at the nickel back spot. He’s instinctive and consistently jumps routes. He’s not a see-and-go reactor, which was a problem at that spot in that past. He’s also super-tough and doesn’t back down from contract. Underrated signing.
*The Jets are in good shape with their QB depth with Trevor Siemian behind Sam Darnold. There won’t be much of a drop-off if he plays. Watching him up close for two weeks, Siemian clearly knows what he’s doing out there.
*While according Ian Rapoport’s announcement, Adam Gase feels he’s overpaid, C.J. Mosley is going to help the Jets a great deal. Not only as a terrific inside linebacker, who excels against the run and pass, but is a coach on the field for the defense, getting everyone lined up correctly once Gregg Williams sends in the play.
*Tim White and Deontay Burnett are two receivers to keep an eye on. They are both having excellent training camps. If the final cuts were today, they would both likely make the team. Burnett is probably ahead of White in the pecking order because of his amazing chemistry with Darnold going back to their days together at USC.
*Kelechi Osemele is an impressive guy on- and off-the-field. He’s in amazing shape – a rock at about 6-5 and around 300 pounds. He lost weight to help himself stay healthy. It’s very common for NFL linemen to drop weight as they get later in their careers to take pressure off their joints. He often gets to the second level with ease and when he gets there, he’s an intimidating force for linebackers to deal with. Off the field, he’s a very impressive guy, world traveler, a Renaissance man, who speaks the King’s English.
*The knee injury to Harvey Langi, the severity of which is unclear at this point to the public, is a blow to the Jets. He was having a good camp and is clearly going to have a role in the defense. He was getting first-team reps. He’s an athletic, instinctive, 6-2, 250-pound linebacker who can play inside and outside.
*DE Bronson Kaufusi is another guy who Gregg Williams has a plan for. When the Jets lineup in a four-man defensive line, he could be their second end.
August 7, 2019
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