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Friday stuff . . .
According to Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus: “One source said the New York Jets are ‘desperate for help at left tackle after injuries have decimated the position. Duane Brown and Mekhi Becton (season-ending) are both out due to injuries.”
Perhaps, but where are you going to find left tackle help in-season? All the good ones are spoken for this time of year. Left tackle has turned into a skill position – blindside protectors with elite feet don’t grow on trees. There aren’t any good ones on the street, or available via trade. So good luck finding one in September.
But you know what, when you talk about this Jets tackle situation, you can’t forget Grant Hermanns, who was elevated last weekend from the practice squad to the regular roster.
He had a really nice summer. He has great size (6-7, 300), quick feet and has worked his tail off over the last year to improve his technique, and is often the last one off the practice field.
Don’t be shocked if he emerges as a starting OT in the league at some point. He can play both tackle spots, but the ideal spot is probably on the right side . . .
Jordan Whitehead (ankle) certainly looks like a guy who is going to play on Sunday. He was very active running around today in positional drills (the part the media can watch), and it’s hard to keep this guy out of the lineup.
“I know if there’s any chance on earth that he can physically go that he will go because he’s just built that way,” said Jeff Ulbrich.
Having him Sunday would be huge for Ulbrich on the road in kind of a must-win game. You don’t want to start out 0-2. Aside from being a savvy veteran, there is uncertainty behind him, and he’s also a superb run-defender, which will come in handy against Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.
Talking to him in the locker room, it sounds like he is going to play, and he’s not a game-time decision, but punter Braden Mann (back), does sound like a game-time decision.
“[The medical staff] will check in the next couple of days and see if things are good to go,” Mann said.
We all know with back issues, you could feel better one day, and then wake up the next day and it’s a different story . . .
With C.J. Uzomah dealing with a hamstring, expect Jeremy Ruckert to make his NFL debut in the state where he played his college ball – Ohio. How cool is that for the kid from Lindenhurst, New York, to make his NFL debut for the team you grew up rooting for, in the state where he played college ball for an iconic program – The Ohio State University.
I have said this before, and I will say it again – if you were to build a tight end in the lab, he would look like Ruckert – 6-5, 250, perfectly proportioned, and he’s built to block and get down the field in the passing game. Right out of Central Casting to play tight end . . .
Zach Wilson has been at practice the last couple of weeks with no knee brace on his surgical knee.
Now we only see the positional drills and stretching, but the fact that he has no knee brace on his right knee must mean something . . .
I consider this game a toss-up on Sunday. Jacoby Brissett, who is starting for the Browns at QB, is more of a backup, and the Jets need to take advantage of that fact.
September 16, 2022
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