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The Braxton Berrios injury is a tough one.
Of course it hurts their offensive with his ability as a receiver and de facto running back on jet sweeps.
But even more so on special teams.
Obviously, he’s a terrific kick and punt returner with his vision and explosiveness in the open field.
But just as important, he’s very sure-handed, almost never putting a ball on the ground fielding punts, no matter what the conditions.
It’s supposed to be windy on Sunday in Buffalo, with gusts up to 37 mph.
It won’t be an issue replacing him on kick returns with Tevin Coleman.
Filling the punt return void will be tougher considering the conditions, It could be Keelan Cole or Jamison Crowder.
But if I’m Brant Boyer, if the wind is ridiculous, I would just tell the punt returners to get the heck away from the ball and just let them down it . . .
At receiver, without Berrios, Elijah Moore and Corey Davis, the Jets are somewhat thin, and people will be fast to say that Wilson is going to have issues because of this.
Perhaps, but when you are starting two veterans like Cole and Crowder, it’s not like you are starting two rookies off the practice squad. And Jeff Smith as a #3 is pretty good. We will see if they can get something from Denzel Mims.
They also get tight end Tyler Kroft off the COVID-19 list, and he’s a solid receiving tight end.
So, I’m not going to be grading Wilson on a curve in this game. Remember, the Bills are without their shutdown cornerback Tre White, who is on injured reserve.
Go out there and get the job done . . .
The Bills will be without wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, which should help the Jets young secondary to a degree, because he’s so good at finding holes in coverage and making things happen . . .
Jets left tackle George Fant had a knee scope.
Fant had a heck of a season. The Jets are fortunate to have him locked up under contract next year. He has one year left on the three-year deal he signed in 2020. Fant is another example of how good Joe Douglas is at spotting offensive line talent. If Fant was a free agent, he would likely land a big contract on the open market as a bonafide NFL left tackle.
Some people were critical of the Jets signing Fant. Remember, he was signed to play left tackle, but was forced to the right side after Mekhi Becton slipped to them in the 2020 draft.
But this year, with Becton hurting his knee in week one, Fant was moved to the left side, and had a terrific year before hurting his knee last week.
Fant should be the Jets’ left tackle next year, and Becton should move to the right side. Gil Brandt told me when the Jets drafted Becton he should play on the right side. This is a big off-season for Becton as he needs to drop some weight and get into tip-top shape.
January 7, 2021
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