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Florham Park – Dan checks in with a helping of OTA Whispers from One Jets Drive. Let’s dive in . . .
This is just one spring practice, so we can’t get too crazy, but Michael Vick was the better quarterback today. He made quicker decisions and was more accurate. He threw an absolutely beautiful rocket 20 yards over the middle to Jace Amaro, over the outstretched-arms of linebacker Jermaine Cunningham, who was in pretty good coverage . . .
Geno Smith had some issues in the red zone today. He didn’t seem to trust his eyes enough, and was somewhat indecisive.
The one thing you saw today, that made gave Vick the edge in this practice, was his got rid of the faster . . .
Watching Stephen Hill run a fly route today down the seam, it reminded me, for the first time in awhile, since he was banged up last year – this guy can fly. Wow was he fast running straight down field. He looked like an Olympic sprinter.
When the Jets picked Hill a couple of years ago, they talked about how effective he would be on fly routes, nine routes, getting way down field with this 4.3 speed and 6-4 frame, but for some reason, they rarely let him run these routes in games. They need to get back to their original plan, and dial more of these type of route up for Hill.
I think some people are giving up on Hill too fast. This guy has ability. Let’s be honest, his first two years in the league, the quarterback play was substandard. Also, he came in very raw, out of a run-heavy Georgia Tech offense.
I don’t think this story is done being written . . .
Jeremy Kerley wasn’t at practice today for personal reasons.
He better be careful, Jalen Saunders could “Wally Pipp” him. Saunders looked good again today in the slot, wicked quick in and out of his breaks . . .
Kerry Hyder had a sack today. The Jets must really like this guy. He’s getting reps at second team defensive end ahead of Tevita Finau . . .
Marty was moving Jace Amaro all over today, using him in the slot, on screens. The Jets offensive coordinator is licking him chops with the tight ends versatility, something he displayed a great deal at Texas Tech . . .
I know there isn’t supposed to be contact in these spring practices, but every once in a while there will be a big hit, and the one today was fullback Chad Young pummeling pass rusher IK Ekempali. You could hear a big thump on contact.
Young is a 5-10, 240-pounder block of granite, who isn’t fat at the size, and is built to be a road-grader. He looks like a bouncer . . .
Backup swing guard/center Dalton Freeman has definitely benefitted from an NFL off-season conditioning program. He looks bigger and stronger. One reason he went undrafted out of Clemson, after being named First-Team All-American as a senior, was his size coming out of school, in the 285-290 range.
I think Freeman has a good chance of landing the backup swing job. He’s very smart and good at calling out signals. He was having a terrific camp last summer, before suffering a high ankle sprain, ending his summer after about a week . . .
June 11, 2014
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