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The Jets cancelled their Friday OTA practice and also the last day of their veteran minicamp next week.
Some would argue the off-seasons have been cut back so much due to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, why give back any on-field work? Some would argue you’ve got to be careful not to overwork the players with a 17-game season.
What I would do is not cancel any practices, and that is for the sake of the rookies and first-year players. They need every rep they can get. If you want to give veterans some days off, absolutely, but as far as I’m concerned, Olu Fashanu, Malachi Corley and Will McDonald need every rep afforded by the CBA.
Hey, I could be wrong, but that is my worldview. Don’t give any practices back, it’s already been cut way back by the union in the spring (and summer) . . .
Speaking of another young guy who could use the work, that is center Joe Tippmann.
He looked pretty good last year as a rookie starter, but he’s by no means a finished product, and he’d be the first to admit it.
A couple of things he needs to work on that come to mind are shotgun snaps and pad level.
Against Washington last year, a high shotgun snap was fumbled by the quarterback and recovered by the Commanders.
And as a 6-6 center, it’s always a challenge to keep his pad level down, and we know in the leverage game, the low man often wins.
Against Houston, a 6-1 defensive tackle tackle, Sheldon Rankins, who we know well, got under Tippmann’s pad level for a sack.
Look, I think Tippmann could become a perennial Pro Bowl, but just pointing out, like any young player, he has a lot to work on.
And the Jets were smart to invite Nick Mangold to practice on Tuesday, to give the promising young player a few technique tips . . .
On Tuesday, Corley had a long gain on a crossing route. The thing that stood out about the play to me was how he ripped the ball away from the defensive back, who had pretty good coverage, displaying strong, powerful hands.
Corley is one of these players, kind of like Lavernues Colts, who is going to win a lot of tugs-of-war for the ball from defensive backs due to sheer strength, will and determination . . .
While there was public and media pressure for the Jets to pick Georgia tight end Brock Bowers in the first round, the Jets were smart to grab Fashanu.
Not only do they need a bonafide left tackle to back up Tyron Smith, who is a tremendous player, but seems to have a problematic back at times, but also, they are in good shape at tight end.
When Joe Douglas said before the draft, “I like our tight end room,” it wasn’t just PR, and draft gamesmanship, he was being forthright.
It’s a good room.
Tyler Conklin is one of the most underrated tight ends in the league, and played well with suspect QB play the last two years, so can you imagine what he will do with Rodgers? He’s excellent on contested passes. Kenny Yeboah and Zack Kuntz have flashed in the spring, and Jeremy Ruckert, isn’t necessarily flashy, but just a rock solid all-around tight end, who is equally proficient as a blocker and receiver.
The Jets should be fine here, and keep an eye on Yeboah, who has improved a great deal as a blocker since his days as more of a move tight end at Temple and Ole Miss, and he’s also he’s got the wheels to threaten all parts of the field in the passing game.
June 7, 2024
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