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Dan puts a capstone on the preseason with some random thoughts on the Jets-Eagles game, including items on Matt Kroul, Vernon Gholston, Martin Tevaseu, Brian Jackson, Drew Coleman and more. Just the good stuff . . .
Martin Tevaseu played really, really well. He had two nice shed-tackles round the line. He seems like a practice squad lock.
Matt “Don’t Be” Kroul was outstanding with two sacks and two tackles for losses. His motor is unreal. He’s a whirling dervish out there.
Vernon Gholston did some good things. He had a sack to ice the win and a QB pressure late in the third quarter.
While he has improved, he still has major issues getting off blocks, and can be a liability against the run. Most of his good plays are run and chase and don’t involve successfully shedding an offensive lineman.
And his most impressive play against Philly was the late sack. I hate to be a killjoy, but it came against a third string right tackle that was cut yesterday. He needs to show he can beat a starting tackle for a sack.
And if Rex plays him on running downs, it could be a problem.
Honestly, I would trade Drew Coleman. I think Brian Jackson has more of an upside.
Coleman gives you all he’s got, but he’s too inconsistent. On the Eagles first passing play, he was beat for a gain of 27 by wide receiver Riley Cooper on a slant.
As Ryan said on Thursday night, “Brian Jackson played good – probably too good.”
Putting him on the practice squad is probably now impossible. He had three PD’s and caused a fumble late on tight end Nate Lawrie.
James “The Nigerian Nightmare” Ihedigbo is some hitter. He absolutely crushed wide receiver Max Hall on the second possession and then leveled wide receiver Kelly Washington after a gain of three late in the first half. He’s also a very good blitzer and had a QB pressure late.
Marquice Cole continues to do some good things. He played really well against Philadelphia with a couple of PD’s.
Two guys who helped themselves on special teams were Emanuel Cook and Brooks Foster. They were flying around making things happen. They probably locked up practice squad spots with their effort.
Foster, a wide receiver with tremendous athleticism, speed and toughness, is what the Jets want David Clowney to be on a special teams – a fourth/fifth wide receiver who is a major factor on kick and punt coverage.
