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New Jersey – A few different things to look at tonight as the Jets attempt to figure out what to do with their roster with the final cuts looming . . .
Freddie Bishop gave it his best shot down in the States, but I think he came up a little short.
The former CFL star pass rusher, just couldn’t generate a lot of pressure on the NFL level this summer, in practice and in the preseason games.
He’s not a quick-twitch guy. He relies more on power, and it’s hard to consistently run over NFL offensive tackles. Their technique is too good.
The two times Jets OLB coach Mark Collins addressed the media over the last few months, he was asked both times what the difference is between the CFL and the NFL is for Bishop and both times he said, “the tackles.”
He’s a major long shot to make the final cut, and can probably grab a job back in Canada is he so pleases . . .
He kind of flew under the radar in the spring and summer, but guard Craig Watts has quietly performed very well.
He’s a powerhouse – 6-4, 330 and moves very well for his size.
On Khiry Robinson’s seven-yard carry early in the game, he locked up a defensive tackle showing great technique and the runner ran behind him.
I think he’s going to make the team, probably beat out Dakota Dozier for a backup guard spot. Dozier had a rough game in Philly and has been a little inconsistent throughout the summer.
So I think the Jets go with Wesley Johnson as a backup center/guard, Watts as backup guard, and the loser of the Brent Qvale and Ben Ijalana battle for the swing backup OT. Breno Giacoini probably stays on PUP at the beginning of the season. To think he’s going to start the opener at right tackle, when he hasn’t practiced at all, and played in no preseason games, is unrealistic. The Bengals have really good ends, and it’s a recipe for disaster to throw Giacomini out there after no working the summer. Brandon Shell will probably be on the practice squad. Guard Mike Liedtke could end up there as well.
Watts was a terrific signing by the Jets’ personnel department. After two years of training on the San Diego Chargers practice squad and by independent offensive line tutor LeCharles Bentley, he came to Florham Park pretty nicely developed . . .
If I’m the Jets, I’m calling the Philadelphia Eagles about Brian Braman.
The Jets have a lot of trouble blocking him on Thursday, and he’s a third-string end in Philly.
Here is the deal – the Eagles switched to the 4-3 defense under new coordinator Jim Schwartz this off-season. Braman is more of a 3-4 outside linebacker at 6-5, 241, and man does he fly off the edge. By the way, he went to college with Watts and Robinson at West Texas A&M.
The reason I bring this up is the Jets continue to struggle generating pressure off the edge from the outside linebacker position. Even against the Eagles, playing back offensive tackles, there wasn’t much going on. Trevor Reilly had a sack.
This is still an area that needs needs a jolt.
But like I’ve said many times, top-shelf 3-4 OLB pass rushers are really hard to find . . .
September 2, 2016
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