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New Jersey – It’s time for a helping of Dan’s Rookie Mini-Camp Whispers and notes from the first day. Lets jump into it . . .
While Devin Smith is a terrific receiver prospect, one concern about him in the draft cycle was that he’s not a natural hands catcher and sometimes double-catches the ball.
Watching him today at the rookie mini-camp, I didn’t see that at all. In the drills, and in the 11-on-11 stuff, I thought he displayed soft hands, confident hands, and I didn’t see a lot of body catching.
The ironic thing is he’s been praised for how good he is tracking deep balls, and he dropped a very catchable deep out. Not a big deal.
Something that struck me watching him up-close is his size. I guess sometimes when you hear speed receiver, you are thinking they are smaller. So often, that is how it works. Smith is a nicely built receiver at a little over 6-0 and close to 200 pounds, and he runs 4.38 . . .
The Jets signed one of their tryout players after practice today – Colorado CB Greg Henderson.
If Henderson had come out after his junior year, he definitely would have been drafted. He had four picks and 10 PD’s in his junior campaign. His senior season wasn’t as good.
Obviously Todd Bowles liked what saw today in the first rookie mini-camp practice, and the Jets signed him right after the practice.
He has very quick feet and loose hips, two very good characteristics at cornerback . . .
A tryout player who caught my eye today was Kentucky tight end Steve Burton.
He consistently got open and caught the ball.
When I did some research on him, I discovered that his father is professional wrestling legend – “Sting.” . . .
On the first play of the scrimmage period of practice, seventh round nose tackle Deon Simon shot into the backfield and stopped Eastern Michigan running back Bronson Hill for a loss. You could see the big fella’s quickness on this play. He’s a 6-4, 321 powerhouse, but he’s not lead-footed . . .
Watching Bryce Petty’s first practice I definitely came away impressed.
Yes, he did throw a Pick Six at the end of practice to cornerback DaShaun Phillips (keep an eye on this kid), but it should be pointed out that Leonard Williams blew by an interior lineman, and got into his face pretty quickly. That is no excuse for a Pick Six, but it needs to be pointed out.
But aside from this play, he looked good. He has a gun, and gets a lot of mustard on his throws. He’s also very smart, and considering that he hasn’t been in town long, he exuded a command out there of whatever he’s been given so far.
Now that doesn’t mean he should be a factor this year. He definitely needs a redshirt year to wean himself off Art Briles funky Baylor offense, but I think the Jets are going to have something here if he’s handled right . . .
The Jets released TE Chris Pantale today. He didn’t deserve to be released. He’s a solid football player. Pantale is a good blocker who does a nice job in the short-intermediate passing game. But when you transition from one regime to another, some good players are going to fall by the wayside. Perhaps his speed (4.9) forty turned off the new regime.
May 8, 2015
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