Content available exclusively for subscribers
New Jersey – A couple of items to get into today from today’s minicamp practice, including a situation that seems a little bizarre. Where there is smoke there is fire . . .
Very odd situation involving Breno Giacomini today.
He was at practice, in his uniform, but didn’t practice.
And here is what Todd Bowles said at his press conference when asked about Giacomini.
Q)Was Giacomini was at the facility today?
Bowles: He was here.
Q)Did Giacomini miss practice due to soreness?
Bowles: No. He just had an excused absence.
First of all, I don’t get the questions. He was on the practice field.
And how do you have an “excused absence” from practice, when you are at the practice.
But you know what, where there is smoke there is fire.
Starting at right tackle today was Brent Qvale. I thought he looked really good.
To me, Qvale is an NFL quality starting right tackle. Not a left tackle, but right tackle.
He’s really smart (doesn’t make many mental errors), plays with very good technique and has underrated feet.
This was a very nice undrafted free agent signing by the former regime.
I think the Jets would be fine with Qvale at right tackle. I think he’s ready.
And he makes $525,000 this year. Giacomini makes $4.5 million.
You get the sense that Giacomini is going to be a cap casualty. The Jets will probably need the money when they finally get the Ryan Fitzpatrick deal done.
That $4 million savings going from Giacomini to Qvale at right tackle could help get the Fitzpatrick deal done.
Giacomini is a heck of a guy, is very tough, and gives you everything he’s got, but he was somewhat inconsistent last year and was a little penalty-prone.
Also, the Jets picked a right tackle in the fifth round – Brandon Shell, and they have also moved guard Jarvis Harrison to right tackle.
On top of that, last year’s swing tackle, Ben Ijalana, is back in the fold, and has looked very good this spring.
So it’s probably a long-shot that Giacomini is around much longer, and that might have had something to do with him being held out today.
But I have to admit, I’ve been covering the Jets for 20 years, and I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed a guy not practicing for personal reasons, and he was in uniform at the practice. That is a first.
Kenbrell Thompkins was excused from practice today for a family obligation. He wasn’t there. Giacomini was excused and he was there . . .
It’s really early, and I’m not making a big deal out of this, but so far this spring, Wagner linebacker Julian Stanford and former Dallas Cowboy and Tampa Bay Buccaneer Bruce Carter, have looked better in coverage than Darron Lee.
Lee got beat by Matt Forte on a pass play today out of the backfield.
Lee has been very tentative. He has a lot to learn, and I think he will learn it. He’s very bright . . .
June 15, 2016
Premium will return by 9:30 pm on Thursday.