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New Jersey – It’s time for a heaping helping of Jets Whispers from Florham Park. Lots of good stuff. Let’s get into it . . .
Early in practice today, I saw injured guard James Carpenter (calf), sprint – full speed – from the team’s stretching to the field goal protection drills. He’s playing . . .
Tight end Braedon Bowman was called up from the Jets practice squad to the regular roster.
“It’s awesome,” Bowman told Jets Confidential. “It’s what I dreamed of.”
The Jets released fullback Julian Howsare to make room for him.
I asked why the Jets promoted him, and he said they liked his “versatility.”
I don’t think Howsare is out of the plans. All this stuff was still in his locker with his nameplate in place. That has always been a good way to discern if a released player is coming back at some point. If they are out of the plans, the locker is generally cleaned out and the nameplate removed.
It will be interesting to see what the Jets have planned for Bowman, who told me has does have experience lining up at fullback. So that could be the reason for the move – he can be a tight end and fullback as opposed to just a fullback. Bowman brings more to the passing game than Howsare. He’s a tight end who runs in the 4.6’s and can stretch the seam, and with Brandon Marshall iffy for the game, they might want another weapon in the passing game . . .
I mentioned this the other day – the Chiefs are a mess at the guard positions. I have an update on the situation.
Left guard Parker Ehringer is out with a concussion. Right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is questionable with a high ankle sprain. He was limited in practice all week. He will be a game-time decision, and even if he plays, he’s going to be limited. He suffered the injury just two weeks ago. High ankle sprains aren’t two week injuries. And here is the kicker – Jah Reid, who filled in at guard last week, is out with a couple of injuries. They are an absolute mess at guard.
The Jets dynamic trio of defensive linemen – Mo Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams should have a field day. Steve McLendon as well . . .
Before practice, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg are often on the field early throwing to each other. This went on in camp, and now during the season. Geno Smith generally isn’t with them. What is going on here?
As I mentioned in the training camp issue of the magazine, that often after practice, these three would do extra work together.
Does Geno not feel like an outsider in the QB room?
Does he feel ostracized?
I really doubt this because Fitz, Petty and Hackenberg aren’t those kind of guys.
Also the Fitzpatrick, Petty and Hackenberg stretch in the same line, and Geno is nowhere near them.
This is very strange.
And not healthy.
Ideally, it should be all for one, and one for all in the QB room.
September 23, 2016
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