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The Jets signed two tryout players today to their regular roster. I like both moves and here is why . . .
The Jets signing of fullback J.C. Copeland makes perfect sense.
He looked good in the rookie mini-camp as a tryout.
And before that camp, the Jets had only one fullback on their active roster – Tommy Bohanon.
So there was a need for another fullback.
One of his issues coming out of LSU last year, was that he was too heavy at 5-11, 271.
To his credit, he’s down 11 pounds, currently suiting up at 260, and he’s looked more mobile.
In Friday’s rookie mini-camp practice, he took a swing pass on the short right side, and headed up the sideline, showing good speed for his size. On this play, you could see the benefit of the weight loss on his speed and quickness.
And not only did the weight loss help him as a runner and receiver, but as a blocker. It helps him connect better with moving targets in space now that his lateral quickness has improved.
This guy could give Bohanon a run for his money at fullback . . .
The Jets also signed QB Jake Heaps after the rookie mini-camp.
I like this move also.
While his college career didn’t turn out like he had hope, this kid has talent. Coming out of high school in Washington State, where he led Skyline High School to three straight state titles, he was considered by some scouting services as the #1 quarterback prospect in the country.
He played fairly well as a freshman at BYU, but then struggled as little as a sophomore, lost his job, and transferred to Kansas.
He figured that Charlie Weis, then the Kansas coach, could help him prepare for the NFL, as a former long-time NFL offensive coordinator. It didn’t work out that way. The Jayhawks were so bad under Weis, so devoid of talent around Heaps, transferring there actually hurt him, more than it helped him.
And then he transferred to Miami, but didn’t play.
Why do I like the Jets signing him?
Well first of all, Heaps looked good in the rookie camp.
Secondly, they have to keep fishing for an answer at QB, and need to constantly keep throwing their line in the water, until they reel in the answer.
I’m not saying Heaps in the answer.
What I’m saying is, keep fishing – perhaps Geno emerges under Chan Gailey, if not, maybe Bryce Petty can help in a year or two, perhaps if Heap looks good, put him on the practice squad.
Ryan Fitzpatrick is also in the mix.
This needs to be an obsession of Mike Maccagnan and Todd Bowles – keep looking non-stop for an answer at QB. Turn over every stone.
Because this is QB driven-league. It’s no secret the Jets need to find a difference-maker at QB.
While Heaps college career didn’t work out like he hoped, he does have talent, and is considered a good pro-style QB with accuracy and poise.
So why not throw him into the hopper?
May 11, 2015
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