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FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – Perhaps Pete Carroll was right about the health of wide receiver Braylon Edwards, claimed off waivers earlier this week.
On Friday, the Jets wide receiver didn’t look like a player ready to make a significant impact this Monday at the Tennessee Titans, even as his head coach sounded optimistic that he could make an impact.
According to Ryan, Edwards was “really limited” during yesterday’s practice and only did some passing drills and nothing at full speed.
This isn’t encouraging news, especially when on Wednesday his former head coach in Seattle, Pete Carroll, told reporters, that he wasn’t sure if Edwards’ hamstring injury would recover sufficiently to play by the end of the regular season.
Limited to stretching and some drills on Friday, it is beginning to look more and more like Edwards signing could be a spirit-lifting move for the locker room and fans. Or perhaps more with the San Diego game in mind.
After all, how much of an impact can he have on Monday night if he can barely practice three days before the game? Remember, he needed as much practice as possible to get back on the same page with Mark Sanchez, and get a feel for the game plan . . .
There may not be much to expect either from tight end Dustin Keller, who did stretching and step drills on Friday and did not participate in any team drills. In addition, running back Bilal Powell did individual work with Keller.
The results on Powell’s injured toe are encouraging as Ryan said there was no indication of a fracture, just “soreness.”
Joe McKnight practiced on Friday, a good sign that his battle with migraines is over and done.
“I’m good, no more migraines,” McKnight told Jets Confidential following practice.
Monday night, McKnight and the other Jets runners, will have to deal with OLB Akeem Ayers, the Titans standout outside linebacker.
Ayers is a player McKnight knows from when the two squared off in what is now the PAC-12 Conference. McKnight was a star running back at USC and Ayers the focal point of the UCLA defense.
“Of course I remember him. He was the only good linebacker they had,” McKnight said. “He’s got great skills, he’s strong and moves to the ball well. We can’t run away from him, we just really have to block him as long as you can. That’s what you do, block him as long you can, as best you can and hope the play goes by him.”
Another feared part of the Titans defense is the other outside linebacker, Zack Brown. Having watched him on film, tight end Jeff Cumberland is impressed.
“He’s fast, very fast out there. You have to make sure you really block him when you do block him,” Cumberland told Jets Confidential. “Because if you don’t he’ll get by you.” . . .
The Jets did a 180 degree turn on Friday with quarterback Tim Tebow, with Ryan saying that he might be well enough to play in the Wildcat and on special teams.
Tebow has been sidelined for the past couple weeks and held out of his regular duties due to a couple of fractured ribs. On Friday, after practice Tebow, said he’s “getting better day by day.” He also didn’t rule out the Wildcat on Monday night and added that they’ve practiced it the normal amount of reps as they would any given week . . .
Nose tackle Damon Harrison practiced on Friday but his left ankle was severely wrapped up. Harrison did not travel with the team this past Sunday for the game in Jacksonville. The injury happened last Thursday when the rookie was bottled up on Nick Mangold and his left leg was sticking out. A moment later Vlad Ducasse and Austin Howard fell on top of him and he went down.
“That is [700] pounds falling on you,” Harrison told Jets Confidential. “That’s a lot. But I feel good now, don’t really notice it. I should be able to play this week.”
Cornerback Aaron Berry was held out of practice again on Friday with a hamstring injury. He said that he’s receiving treatment right now. Several weeks back Berry limped off the field with a quadriceps injury.
“I can’t catch a break,” Berry said. “But I’m feeling better. If it were my decision, I’d play.”
December 14, 2012
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