Content available exclusively for subscribers
Mobile, Alabama – The Jets met with a dynamic pass-rusher . . .
The Jets met last night with USC outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu in Mobile at the Senior Bowl. He is a 6-2, 245-pounder who had 9.5 sacks this past season. We all know the Jets could use some help with their edge pass rush, Nwosu could make sense from the second to fourth rounds . . .
Baker Mayfield didn’t show up for the weigh-in this morning at the Senior Bowl. This is the dog-and-pony show where the players go up on a stage, in athletic shorts, and get weighed and measured. I have to admit, I wasn’t totally comfortable with it.
Mayfield committed to play in the Senior Bowl on December 22, but at the time, he didn’t have an agent.
Last week, he finally hired an agent, Jack Mills, and obviously that changed his Senior Bowl plans.
First, he didn’t show up for the weigh-in, and now it looks like he’s not going to play in the game.
First of all, why no weight in?
Mayfield says his mother was sick.
Of course I believe him, but I don’t think the weigh-in would have been good for him. He’s a heck of talent, but he’s short and a little stocky, not a great look for a QB in underwear. It’s like he’s Josh Allen and Mason Rudolph up there on stage at 6-4, 230 with perfect quarterback physiques.
To me, watching the weigh-in event, I’m thinking Mayfield did the right thing skipping it.
Go out there and light it up this week, and don’t let scouts have a bad image of your body from the dog-and-pony show.
He looked really good in his first practice today, whipping the ball around the field. Watching him up close in practice, there is a special energy about him. He reminds me a little of Brett Favre, with a kinetic energy to him from the huddle to the play. He’s electric.
Secondly, I don’t think his agent wants him to play in the game.
It’s rare that top-10 prospects play in the Senior Bowl game. Very rare.
And remember, Mayfield committed to the game without having an agent.
If he had one when he was asked if he was coming to the Senior Bowl, it’s unlikely he would be here.
But he made the commitment, so he wasn’t going to back out.
However, if he continues to have a good week in practice, Mills is probably going to pull him from the game.
Bottom line – all his Senior Bowl decisions were made sans an agent.
One Jets writer said to me today that Mayfield in New York, with his temperament, would be a mistake.
Perhaps it’s time for the Jets to ignore the media factor.
Let’s not forget that scared them off Doug Marrone . . .
Somebody in Mobile today from Denver told me he heard former Broncos WR Tyke Tolbert was joining the Jets’ staff. But it’s possible he’s confusing the Jets with the Giants. We will find out shortly . . .
I noticed early in practice, Allen was the victim of some drops. It seemed to me that some of the receivers, who have never played with him before, had issues with the power of his arm, perhaps catching them by surprise.
He’s a very humble kid – very down to earth . . .
The Senior Bowl isn’t just a showcase of college talent, but it’s like a job-fair for football coaches.
Sitting in front of me in the stands during the first practice was Brady Hoke. A friend of his was introducing him to people. Hoke, the former Michigan coach, who was on the Tennessee staff last year, is currently out of work. A lot unemployed coaches and scouts are in Mobile, hoping to land a gig . . .
January 23, 2017
Premium will return by 9:30 pm on Wednesday.