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Florham Park – Time for another dose of Dan’s Website Whispers from Florham Park – Whispers and perspectives you won’t read anywhere else. Let’s go . . .
My sense being at these practices and watching all the special team’s segments, you get the feeling that the Jets new fiery special teams coach isn’t thrilled with some of the players he’s dealing with on his unit.
Brant Boyer, as a player was a terrific special team’s cover guy, an overachiever. He busted his butt, and that is what he wants from the players on his unit.
And I don’t think he feels he’s getting it from certain guys.
The Jets should listen closely to him in terms who he likes. Because honestly last year, they didn’t have the best core of cover guys.
Like Lorenzo Mauldin. Good outside linebacker, but not a good special team’s cover guy – he’s too big and doesn’t change direction well in the open field.
Erin Henderson is a terrific inside linebacker, but do you really think he wanted to running down on punts last year after being a long-time starter in Minnesota?
Boyer knows what it takes to succeed on punt and kick coverage. He did it on a high level in the league.
Mr. Coffee and Todd Bowles better listen to him.
I saw him working with Wagner linebacker Julian Stanford after practice today. That is a Boyer kind of player – tough, fast, smart and an unflinching hitter in the open field.
Last year was a coverage disaster for Gang Green.
Listen to the man . . .
Brent Qvale had a very good practice platooning with Ben Ijalana at right tackle.
Qvale is an NFL starting right tackle in my mind.
Huge, tough, smart and really gets after it.
Look, I’m not running Breno Giacomini out of town. He’s a pretty good right tackle, especially as a run blocker, but if the Jets decide to make a move, I think Qvale can get the job done . . .
I think the Jets are making a mistake with how they are handling Jarvis Harrison. He’s bouncing between offensive tackle and offensive guard.
He’s a raw young prospect – leave him at one spot and let him grow . . .
Calvin Pryor is terrific against the run and a big-time hitter, but I like him, but don’t love him in pass coverage. There is still room for growth there. Like today, he got beat down the right seam by Kellen Davis on a pass that traveled about 30 yards. He never turned around. And remember, we are talking about Kellen Davis, not Kellen Winslow. Davis is a tremendous blocker, but not considered a major receiving threat . . .
Fitzpatrick has looked really good out there. He’s so comfortable in the Jets’ system, he’s like Billy Joel playing the piano on the practice field. It’s just so second nature to him . . .
There is so much talk about Lorenzo Mauldin and Jordan Jenkins as the potential Jets outside linebacker duo, but I wouldn’t sleep on former Columbia Lion Josh Martin. He’s quietly had a very good camp. He’s smart, mobile, tough and extremely bright . . .
August 3, 2016
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