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Mike Westhoff is very happy with Nick Folk’s kickoffs . . .
So how will the Jets utilize Jim Leonhard and Kyle Wilson in the punt return platoon?
Any punt that looks like it’s likely to land in the red zone, is going to be handled by the veteran Leonhard.
Wilson will likely handle most punts in safer territory . . .
The injury to Brodney Pool highlights the value of Dwight Lowery to the Jets. Lowery asked for a move to safety in the off-season, but the Darrelle Revis holdout forced him back to cornerback in training camp. However, he got a lot of reps at safety in the OTA’s and minicamps, and did get some here and there in training camp.
Now with Pool possibly not playing on Monday, all the work that Lowery got at safety, is going to come in handy. Eric Smith would start for Pool, but we all know how valuable the Michigan State product is on special teams. So the Jets can’t afford to play Smith full-time at safety, so expect Lowery to get some of those reps.
Lowery looks so much more comfortable at safety than cornerback . . .
Rex Ryan said on Friday that he’s disappointed in Jamaal Westerman’s work on special teams.
While Westerman’s potential at outside linebacker looks solid, I just don’t see him as ever being a standout kick-punt cover guy.
Westerman was a defensive end at Rutgers. He’s about 6-3, 260, and not really a quick-twitch athlete or a guy with great ability to change direction in the open field.
To me, with his physical makeup, he’s just not the kind of guy who is going to standout on covering kicks and punts.
But his potential as a pass rusher is something to keep an eye on . . .
Rex Ryan said that Vernon Gholston will be in the mix at outside linebacker behind Jason Taylor.
I thought his days as an outside linebacker were over?
While Gholston did show some improvement this summer, he still struggles mightily getting off blocks, and if the Jets play him on running downs, they could be playing with fire . . .
Jets guard Brandon Moore, who is very active in the union, no sign of player unity is planned for Monday night’s Baltimore-Jets game, like the display at the Minnesota-New Orleans game.
That doesn’t mean it won’t happen, but Moore said there was no directive from the union telling the players to do this . . .
The Jets biggest concern about the Ravens offense is Ray Rice. What is being emphasized to the players is that he’s not just a small, quick scat-back, but also very powerful for his size. One player compared him to Maurice Jones-Drew – short, but now small . . .
Mark Sanchez is still wearing a bulky brace on his left knee . . .
When asked about the Baltimore defense picking on the Jets new left guard, Matt Slauson, Mike Pettine was quick to point out, “They are playing with a backup lineman also.”
Baltimore’s starting right tackle Jared Gaither is out with a back injury, and it’s unclear if his backup, Oniel Cousins (concussion), is going to go. If Cousins can’t go, former Green Bay Packer Tony Moll would get the start.
So look for the Jets to target the right side of the Ravens line, because any way you slice it, a backup will be over there . . .
Another player the Jets might target is Tom Zbikowski, starting at FS for the legendary Ed Reed (hip). The former Notre Dame standout is stiff in the hips and has average speed, so Dustin Keller or Jeff Cumberland could be a problem for him.
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