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FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – The Jets wrapped up their minicamp on Thursday. Let’s take a closer look at some of what went on today . . .
CB Dee Milliner (shoulder) did some drills with the rest of the secondary. His footwork was impressive . . .
The team’s other first round pick, DT Sheldon Richardson, looks versatile playing on the edge and inside. He gets off the line quickly and does a nice jump stunting. He has an excellent motor and does a nice job pursing the ball-carrier . . .
We mentioned this yesterday – CB Aaron Berry has had a good minicamp and that continued on Thursday. Not the biggest cornerback on the roster, Berry plays with an impressive physicality at the line, even when he goes up against much bigger and more powerful wide receivers. His footwork is equally impressive when paired against smaller, shiftier receivers
Antonio Cromartie was not at Thursday’s minicamp session due to personal reasons, so Berry started opposite Kyle Wilson . . .
S Antonio Allen stepped up to make a nice pass deflection on a Geno Smith pass over the middle . . .
After being held back due to a hamstring injury the past two days, WR Clyde Gates did some work on Thursday and looked eager on the field.
One thing about Gates, who went to college originally to play basketball, he seems to always soak up opportunities to learn.
On the sideline during 11 on 11 and 7 on 7 drills, he is constantly seeking out the best vantage point to watch the play. He also jumped at the opportunity to return kickoffs today.
Gates has good footwork, not surprising for a former basketball player, but he must improve at getting off the line. He got jammed once or twice on Thursday in drills.
He told Jets Confidential yesterday that he was being held back as a precaution to allow the hamstring to heal. It didn’t seem to hold him back at all . . .
A name to keep an eye on is Zach Rogers, who continues to make tough catches. The speedy and shifty rookie free agent wide receiver from Tennessee has looked good . . .
It was interesting to watch Quinton Coples on Thursday, especially on one play when he dropped back into coverage to guard Kellen Winslow II. Coples has decent footwork for a player his size.
“I’m real comfortable doing that,” Coples told Jets Confidential of dropping back into coverage. “I spend time on that when we do individual work.”
Coples said he currently weighs in at 285 lbs . . .
Linebacker Ricky Sapp has gotten an extensive run with the second-team defense throughout minicamp and he always looks very good off the edge, displaying a nice burst . . .
After not exactly drawing rave reviews from head coach Rex Ryan on Wednesday, Mike Sims-Walker had a nice play on Thursday. Sims-Walker leaped high to pull down an overthrown pass from Geno Smith, landing hard and still holding onto the ball. It turned into a nice 19-yard gain . . .
The aforementioned Winslow, II will likely sign with the Jets after a solid minicamp. He had a false start on Thursday but that couldn’t cloud a day where he made several nice catches . . .
It was a rough day for second round pick Geno Smith, who was twice intercepted. On one play in 11 on 11s, Berry stepped in front of Vidal Hazelton for what would have been a Pick-6. Then on the next play, a designed Hail Mary, Smith was again picked off.
Mark Sanchez didn’t distinguish himself on Thursday, sticking mainly to short routes and intermediate stuff. He seems comfortable with screen passes and bubble routes, which is a big part of the West Coast Offense . . .
CB Mason Robinson did some nice work on Thursday in drills and was active in special teams, although he didn’t return any punts as he did in college at Rutgers. Robinson was an undrafted, unsigned free agent at rookie minicamp who impressed and could be a practice squad candidate.
He spent time at the Tampa Bay rookie minicamp before joining the Jets a few weeks ago.
“I was just hoping and praying for the opportunity,” Robinson told Jets Confidential. “They told me the call might come at any time so be ready.” . . .
Jeremy Kerley, Rogers, Joe McKnight and Gates all returned punts on Thursday.
June 13, 2013
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