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Day Two of the Jets’ mandatory minicamp has concluded. There was a lot of action to cover, so let’s get to it. . .
Linebacker Erin Henderson has the potential to become one of the biggest steals of 2015 free agency.
He sat out the entire 2014 season, during which he sought treatment for alcoholism. He said he spent a great deal of time watching football with his wife and son, while staying in shape in the case of a team calling him.
Henderson was a solid player for the Minnesota Vikings in 2013, recording 112 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions. Even though he was out of football last year, Henderson believes he’s capable of more than what you saw from him in the past.
“I think I might be better than I once was,” Henderson told Jets Confidential. “I’ve got another year of knowledge under my belt. I’ve learned a lot more from the game just sitting at home watching it. I figured out a lot of different things and how things work, how things operate.”
If he is better than he was in 2013, the Jets definitely got a steal in Henderson, who has been lining up with the second-team during practice. . .
Running back Chris Ivory, not known for his receiving skills, looked impressive on screens and was featured often in the passing game Wednesday. He did drop a key fourth-down pass in a two-minute drill, however.
It’s an area in which Ivory will continue to work. He took a big leap in the receiving game last season, catching 18 passes. In his four previous seasons, Ivory caught a total of five . …
Cornerback Dexter McDougle had a solid overall day. He made some nice plays working in the slot and on the outside. His best play came on a deep ball from quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to wide receiver Saalim Hakim.
McDougle kept up with the speedster and got his head around in time to locate the ball and get his hand in to break up the pass. He was met with praise from his fellow defensive backs when he returned to the sideline. . .
Guard James Carpenter looked good pulling from the left side of the line. The players are not wearing full pads, but it was still impressive to see the 6-4, 321-pound guard move that fast off the line.
He is expected to be the starter at left guard and has held down the position throughout the spring. . .
Head coach Todd Bowles said after practice that he has noticed the consistency of cornerbacks Marcus Williams and Darrin Walls in their approach to practice. Both men have been solid this spring, especially Williams.
Williams was an undrafted last season and started the final eight games for the Jets. It appears as if it was not just lightning in a bottle. Williams’ play on the outside, and in the slot, has put him in prime position to become a key reserve in the secondary. . .
While veterans Nick Mangold and D’Brickashaw Ferguson are the leaders of the offensive line in the locker room, on the practice field it has been Breno Giacomini.
The team’s right tackle in 2014 is the first to arrive at each drill (in a full sprint) and is constantly encouraging his fellow offensive linemen before team sessions, even from the sidelines.
June 10, 2014
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